Ameri Run led most of the way to win the $43,100 Hirsc Jacobs Stakes at Pimlico Race Course yesterday.

The colt was urged to the early lead from his inside post by jockey Greg Hutton, then finally put away his race-long pursuer, Exclusive Dove, in the last eighth-mile.

Ameri Run won by 1 1/4 lengths over Exclusive Dove, with Nasty Hero another four lengths back.

The victory was the first in a stakes for Ameri Run, the even-money favorite in a field of six 3-year-olds. He ran the six-furlong distance in 1 minute, 10 4/5 seconds.

"In the Mister Diz, he was stuck down on the worst part of the

track," said Hutton. The colt finished fourth in the slop in that last race after also drawing the No. 1 post.

NOTES: Mike Luzzi had four winners on the Pimlico program. . . . Hutton begins a seven-day suspension tomorrow for his ride Friday on King's Testamony, who was disqualified for drifting in.