Peace Rules Breezes Half in :45 3/5; Haskell Next Stop

Edmund Gann's Peace Rules, like stablemate Empire Maker, turned in his second consecutive fast work, breezing a quick half in :45 3/5 Thursday. The work came eight days after the son of Jules breezed a half in :45 2/5.

"They got him galloping out in :58 3/5 and pulling up in 1:11 2/5," trainer Bobby Frankel said. "He's so good now, that's as slow as you can keep him. That's why I'm only working him a half-mile. But he did get a bit stirred up when another worker joined in with him. He broke off fine with pony, then somebody wanted to be a hero."

Frankel said he's still pointing Peace Rules for the $1 million Haskell Invitational on Aug. 3, where he'll face off again with Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide.

Frankel said that Belmont winner Empire Maker came out of Wednesday's :59 breeze in excellent shape. "He's got such a huge stride, Jerry (Bailey) thought he had gone in 1:01," Frankel said. The son of Unbridled is on target for the Jim Dandy Stakes Aug. 3.

Frankel is also preparing some of his other big guns for important races at Saratoga. Medaglia d'Oro, who is scheduled to work in the next day or two, will point for the Aug. 2 Whitney Stakes, while Frankel's dynamic grass duo of Heat Haze and Sea of Showers will tackle Ipi Tombe in the $500,000 Diana Handicap on July 26. Frankel also will point Midas Eyes for the 6-furlong Amsterdam and 7-furlong King's Bishop Stakes.