LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. (AP) Patriots Rule defeated Eddie's First by a nose to win the $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes in track-record time Friday on opening day of Los Alamitos' fall meet.
Ridden by Fernando Perez, Patriots Rule ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14.60, betting the old mark of 1:15.59 set by Doinghardtimeagain in the Great Lady M. Stakes on July 12. The 3-year-old gelding paid $3.60, $2.40 and $2.10 as the 4-5 favorite.
Eddie's First returned $3.40 and $3.20, while 28-1 shot Arctic Code was another 7 3/4 lengths back in third and paid $4 to show.
''I didn't want to change my horse's style,'' Perez said. ''I was hoping somebody would go with (Eddie's First), but he got away. My horse just kept coming and coming and coming and we got there.''
Patriots Rule has three wins in nine career starts and earnings of $186,680.
