Presque Isle: Eternal Rule controls pace to take rich Mile

Canadian invader Eternal Rule extended his career record to 6 for 7 when dominating all the running Friday in the $250,000 Presque Isle Downs Mile in Erie, Pa.

Ridden by Jesse Campbell, Eternal Rule took the lead shortly after the start, shook off longshot I’m Steppin’ It Up after turning for home, then finished comfortably ahead of a belated run from Alma d’Oro. The winner returned $6 as favorite after finishing the mile in 1:37.57 over the Tapeta synthetic .

Alma d’Oro, a 6-1 shot ridden by Javier Castellano, was a length behind the winner and another three-quarters of a length before 32-1 shot Photo Shoot in a field of 10. Bergerac, the 2-1 choice, raced in midpack much of the way under Ramon Dominguez before fading to finish seventh.

Bred and owned by Don Myers, Eternal Rule is based at Woodbine with trainer Sid Attard. A 4-year-old gelding by Tribal Rule, Eternal Rule has raced exclusively on synthetics and was making his first start beyond seven furlongs. His only defeat came in his prior start, the Grade 3 Bold Venture going 6 1/2 furlongs at Woodbine, when beaten a head.

Four horses were scratched from the Presque Isle Mile, including the morning-line favorite, Hunters Bay, also a Canadian-based horse.

The $2 exacta (7-10) paid $33.60; the $1 trifecta (7-10-14) returned $191.40; and the dime superfecta (7-10-14-11) was worth $235.05.

* Two races earlier, Pitch N Roll ($5.60) drew clear under Huber Villa-Gomez to take the $75,000 Mark McDermott Stakes, a six-furlong race for 2-year-old Pennsylvania-breds. Trained by Ron Potts, the winner completed the six-furlong distance in 1:10.04.

* The meet showcase, the Presque Isle Masters, is set for Saturday. The Grade 2, $400,000 race has Groupie Doll as the morning-line favorite.