Rumor Has It does his thing at Arlington

There was truth to the Rumor in Saturday's $54,200 Rossi Gold Stakes at Arlington Park.

Rumor Has It, a free-running front-runner, looked eligible to get loose on the lead in the 1 3/16-mile turf race. And that is exactly what happened.

Rumor Has It raced unchallenged early under Eduardo Perez, opening up a 10-length lead in midway in the race, and gamely resisted the stretch challenge of Major Rhythm in the stretch to score by a neck.

Major Rhythm, who stalked the leader in second place throughout, pulled on near even terms with about 70 yards remaining, only to be turned back. Public Speaker rallied to be third, a length behind Major Rhythm. Favored Demarcation ran fifth.

Rumor Has It, an 8-year-old son of Awesome Again, ran the 1 3/16-mile distance on a firm course softened somewhat by rain in 1:59.56, paying $25.40. David Hinsley trained the winner for owners James F. Glenn and William S. Patterson.