SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) – Ten Most Wanted finally delivered a big race, cruising past a tiring Peace Rules in the stretch for an easy victory in the $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday.

For a race that lost its luster when local hero Funny Cide and Empire Maker were scratched because of health woes, the finish had the record Travers crowd of 66,122 cheering all the way through the stretch run.

Ten Most Wanted, runner-up in the Belmont Stakes and in his last race, the Swaps Stakes, caught torrid pacesetters Peace Rules and Strong Hope at the top of the stretch.

And under the patient guidance of Pat Day, Ten Most Wanted pulled off to a 41/2-length win over Peace Rules.

“He put it all together today,” said Dollase, who shipped his colt in from California and put blinkers on him for the first time.

Peace Rules was Bobby Frankel’s pinch runner after the trainer pulled Belmont winner Empire Maker out of the Travers on Thursday. But the 1 1/4-mile distance took its toll on Haskell winner Peace Rules and Jim Dandy winner Strong Hope, who both faded in the stretch.

Strong Hope, who came into the Travers with a five-race winning streak, was third, followed by Wild and Wicked, Congrats and Sky Mesa.

Sent off as the co-favorite with Sky Mesa at 5-2, Ten Most Wanted returned $7.50, $3.40 and $2.90. Peace Rules, with Jerry Bailey aboard, paid $3.80 and $2.80. Strong Hope, ridden by John Velazquez, paid $3.10 to show. Winning time for 1 1/4 miles was 2:02 after a sizzling pace.

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AP-ES-08-23-03 1908EDT