Peace Rules won't run in Atto Mile

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The defection of Grade 1 winner Peace Rules leaves hometown turf heroes Soaring Free and Perfect Soul as the big names for Sunday's Grade 1, $1 million Atto Mile.

Trainer Bobby Frankel had been pointing Peace Rules for the Atto Mile, but told the Woodbine media department that the colt would not be making the trip.

"He coughed this morning, we scoped him, and he was full of mucus," said Frankel from Belmont Park on Sunday.

Soaring Free, a 5-year-old gelding who finished second in last year's Atto Mile for Sam-Son Farm and trainer Mark Frostad, breezed five furlongs on a fast main track in 59 seconds here Saturday.

The work, under regular rider Todd Kabel, was the fastest of 54 at the distance.

"That will be his last work before the race," said Frostad.

Perfect Soul ran third in last year's Atto Mile and went on to capture the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland. Trained by Roger Attfield, Perfect Soul is slated to work Wednesday.

Slew Valley, a 7-year-old horse who also is based here at Woodbine, breezed six furlongs in 1:12.60 on a fast main track Sunday in his final major Atto Mile tune-up.

The workout, under regular rider Jim McAleney, was the fastest of three at the distance.

"I was thrilled with that," said his trainer, Reade Baker.

Three shippers from the United States - Christine's Outlaw, Millennium Dragon, and Kathir - were on target for the Atto Mile as of Monday.

Christine's Outlaw won the Grade 3 Poker at Belmont on July 10, but then finished ninth in the Grade 2 Fourstardave over 1 1/16 miles on turf at Saratoga Aug. 28.

Trained by George Weaver, Christine's Outlaw breezed four furlongs in 48.80 seconds over Saratoga's Oklahoma training track on Sunday.

Millennium Dragon, second as the favorite in the Poker after finishing second in Belmont's Grade 1 Manhattan, would be making his first start in 10 weeks for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Kathir is coming off a second-place finish in the Grade 3 Oceanport over 1 1/16 miles on turf at Monmouth Aug. 8 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Kathir breezed five furlongs in 1:02.80 on a fast track at Monmouth on Monday.

Royal Regalia, third in the Fourstardave last time out, is another Atto Mile possibility.