Fox Rules much the best in Genesee Valley

Fox Ruler dominated the $50,000 Genesee Valley Stakes at Finger Lakes on Saturday, taking the lead early on the far turn of the 1 1/16-mile race for New York-breds and then drawing off to win by 6 1/2 lengths.

This is the second straight year Fox Rules has won the Genesee Valley. He finished second in the race in 2013.

Fox Rules, who won the New York Derby at Finger Lakes in 2012, now has nine wins and a second in 10 Finger Lakes starts. Overall, he is now 12 for 34 in his career with earnings of $403,455.

Fox Rules, 6, races for his breeders, Dennis and Deborah Petrisak, who race as Langpap Stable. The Petrisaks are also the breeders and owners of Fox Rox, a 4-year-old who finished last in the six-horse Genesee Valley.

Fox Rules and Fox Rox are half-brothers, as they are both out of the mare Shesastonecoldfox. Fox Rules is by Roman Ruler, while Fox Rox is a son of Officer.

At the start of the Genesee Valley, Fox Rox went to the lead. He stayed well out in the track on the first turn with even-money favorite Baime and Crackerjack Jones fanned wide outside of him.

Fox Rules lagged back early but began a steady advance on the backstretch, took the lead inside his uncoupled stablemate on the far turn, and proved much the best, winning easily under jockey Pedro Rodriguez.

Fox Rules paid $7.30 and was timed in 1:44.83 over the muddy track.

Crackerjack Jones continued willingly to be second, a length in front of Show King, who broke in the air, dropped far back early, and then finished with interest. Baime was fourth, a neck behind Show King.