The Bluegrass Derby is just four weeks away, and one of the last prep races for this event was celebrated as the feature in New York. Peacenik took advantage of a grueling pace in the early stages and took control in mid stretch to win the Grade I Wooden Indian, with a purse of $750,000. The winner is out of Peace Rules in a Broad Brush colt and improved his lifetime record to 13-7-2-1, with earnings of $1,368,803 for trainer oaklawn66.
The race was a fiery battle from the gitgo, with Park the Deputy, Zip City Do Da and Path of Destruction in the early fray, setting up quick early fractions that allowed the closers to sit back comfortably. Melek Ha Cavode led the second flight, with the winner being part of the trailing group at that point. With three furlongs to go, Park the Deputy and Zip City Do Da remained on the battle, but already giving signs of wearing down. Melek Ha Cavode and Rainbow Phyl were closing the gap quickly and the winner Peacenik began his winning move, having just enough to pass Rainbow Phyl and earn his spot on the Bluegrass field. Globogym came from last to grab the show spot and Melek Ha Cavode just held on to fourth. The time for the race was a pretty weak 1:48:4/5 fro the nine furlongs distance.