War Story ($10) came charging down the center of the track and drew clear for a 2 1/2-length victory on Saturday at Belmont Park in the Grade 2, $400,000 Brooklyn Invitational, his first start at 1 1/2 miles.

War Story took command from the 1-2 favorite, Tu Brutus, entering the lane and safely held off Sunny Ridge for his fifth win in 21 lifetime starts. He has had seven trainers for his last 13 starts. Jorge Navarro has been his trainer for his last four starts.

The race flow indicated the rail was not the place to be, similar to Friday here. Tu Brutus was kept well off the rail early while leading through fractions of 24.69 seconds, :50.06, and 1:15.85 for the first six furlongs, but after a mile in 1:41.16 and 1 1/4 miles in 2:05.56, he drifted toward the rail and tired to finish third, two lengths behind Sunny Ridge.

War Story, meanwhile, was on the rail for the first mile, but got off it and rallied for the win, in 2:31.02 for 1 1/2 miles on the fast main track. He picked up a first prize of $220,000 for his owners, a partnership headed by Loooch Racing Stables.

Governor Malibu was fourth and was followed, in order, by Doyouknowsomething and Behesht.

Six ran in this storied stakes race for older runners. Send It In, the morning-line favorite, was scratched Saturday morning. Idolo Porteno was scratched on Friday.