Ten Most Wanted surges to win Travers

A record crowd watched Peace Rules fade.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) -- Even without the highly anticipated rematch between Funny Cide and Empire Maker, the Travers still drew a record crowd -- and an exciting race.
With 66,122 fans cheering the stretch run on a cool, sunny day, Ten Most Wanted surged past fading Peace Rules and cruised to a 41/2-length victory in the $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday.
"I didn't think he would win that easily," said trainer Wally Dollase, who won the 1997 Travers with Ten Most Wanted's sire, Deputy Commander. "The other horses were getting tired out there probably, and that's what made my horse look good."
It's been a long time coming as Ten Most Wanted finally put together a big race for Dollase and his group of 11 owners, including J. Paul Reddam, who has a 25 percent share.
The 3-year-old bay colt was a disappointing ninth behind New York-bred Funny Cide in the Kentucky Derby, then finished three-quarters of a length behind Empire Maker in the Belmont Stakes. He seemed to have a win in the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park in his last start, but was passed by During and lost by a head.
Health woes
This time, there was no mistake. With Funny Cide and Empire Maker back in their stalls with health woes, the race set up perfectly for Ten Most Wanted.
Peace Rules was trainer Bobby Frankel's pinch runner for Empire Maker, and along with Strong Hope, the two front-runners set a torrid pace, running the first three-quarters of a mile in 1:09.98 -- the second fastest for a Travers.
As the six-horse field rounded the final turn, jockey Pat Day patiently moved Ten Most Wanted into contention, pulling even with Peace Rules in the upper stretch before pulling away.
"He put it all together today," Dollase said. "I couldn't believe how the race set up for us."
Peace Rules, with Jerry Bailey aboard, finished second, 10 lengths ahead of Strong Hope. Wild and Wicked was fourth, followed by Congrats and Sky Mesa.
Returns
Ten Most Wanted, who went off as the third betting choice at odds of 2.75-1, returned $7.50, $3.40 and $2.90. Peace Rules, the slight favorite at 2.30-1, paid $3.80 and $2.80. Strong Hope, ridden by John Velazquez, paid $3.10 to show as the colt lost for the first time in his last six starts. Sky Mesa was the second choice at 2.50-1.
Winning time for 11/4 miles was 2:02.14.
Not only was the attendance a record, so was the on-track and total handles. On track, $9,390,933.67 was wagered; total handle was $39,489,785.98.
The win was a sweet one for Dollase, who also won the 1997 Travers with Ten Most Wanted's sire, Deputy Commander. The last trainer to win the Travers with father and son was Bert Muholland, who won with Eight Thirty in 1939 and Lights Up in 1950.