Mohawk: Quiet Ruler does it again

Quiet Ruler, who won last year's Mohawk Handicap at odds of 45-1, pulled off another shocker in the $150,000 race, rolling to a 4 1/2-length win at odds of 20-1. For the second straight year, jockey John Velazquez picked up the mount after someone else had been named at the time of entry.

Trainer Russell Mueller said that Wilson Dieguez, whom Mueller named to ride, left town a couple of days ago. Mueller also said that the agent for Mark Guidry, who rode earlier on the card, declined to ride. Velazquez became available when I'm All Yours was scratched due to a fever.

Quiet Ruler, a 5-year-old son of Woodman, had lost nine straight races and finished last in each of his last two starts. Mueller said Quiet Ruler bled in his last start, the Ashley T. Cole Handicap.

Quiet Ruler covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:54.03 and returned $42.80 to win. Salute Him, a 33-1 shot, finished second over Haggs Castle. Irish Colonial, the 8-5 favorite, finished last.