8/8/05
Last updated: 8/7/05 10:12 PM
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Roman Ruler captured the Haskell in only his third start this year
(Ryan McAlinden/Equi-Photo) |
Fog City Stable’s ROMAN RULER (Fusaichi Pegasus) was confidently ridden
throughout and proved best in taking home the prestigious $1,015,000
Haskell
Invitational H. (G1) at Monmouth Park on Sunday. Breaking alertly beneath Jerry
Bailey, Roman Ruler sat slightly off the pace of Sun King (Charismatic) while in the three
path through
splits of :23 2/5, :47 3/5 and 1:11 3/5 for the opening six panels. As the field
turned for home, the Bob Baffert trainee moved three wide and finished strongly
while passing a stubborn Sun King, completing nine furlongs in
1:49 4/5 over the fast track. The final margin was 1 1/4 lengths, and the even-money favorite was
worth $4.20, $3 and $2.40, while keying the formful $16 exacta, $31.20 trifecta
and $38 superfecta ($1).
Sun King ran a big second on the front end, good for $4 and $3 at 7-2. Park
Avenue Ball (Citidancer) made a threatening move in the stretch but flattened
out a bit late while clearly holding the third spot at 3-1. Show paid $2.60.
Chekhov (Pulpit) rounded out the superfecta at 7-1 another length back, and was
trailed by Palladio (Lycius), Papi Chullo (Comeonmom) and Joey P. (Close Up),
while Golden Man (Suave Prospect) was withdrawn.
“”This was my most gratifying Haskell,” Baffert said of this, his third,
Haskell win. “Roman Ruler had to prove he was that kind of horse — could he
step up to win a Grade 1? It was his coming out party, so show that he could do
it.
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“We’ll wait 10 days or so to see how he comes out of this,” Baffert added.
“He’ll go up to Saratoga. But we’re going to enjoy him and not do anything
stupid with him. There’s no urgency now. The owners let me take my time. Now
he’s got the Grade 1 under his belly, and we can think about going for the
Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).”
Roman Ruler earned his second-consecutive graded score, fourth overall, in
moving his career mark to 8-5-1-0 with a bankroll of $1,020,800. The talented
dark bay previously annexed the Dwyer S. (G2), Norfolk S. (G2) and Best Pal S.
(G2), with a placing in the Del Mar Futurity (G2).
The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State by Needham/Betz, et al and
produced from the unraced Silvery Swan (Silver Deputy). He counts Grade 1 hero
El Corredor (Mr. Greeley) as a half-brother, Grade 3 heroine Silver Tornado
(Maria’s Mon) as a half-sister, and has an unnamed yearling half-sister by Mr.
Greeley. Roman Ruler was purchased at the 2003 Keeneland September Yearling
sale for $500,000.
“I think he’ll go on from this” Bailey said. “He seems to me to be very
versatile. He’s a better horse now than when he was in the Dwyer.”
