7/18/11
Last updated: 7/17/11 2:27 PM
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Ruler on Ice (outside) will go for his second straight Grade 1 win in the Haskell
(Bill Denver/Equi-Photo) |
Trainer Kelly John Breen confirmed Sunday that Belmont S. (G1)
upsetter RULER ON
ICE (Roman Ruler) and Grade 2 hero PANTS ON FIRE (Jump Start) will make
their next starts in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) at
Monmouth Park on July 31.
“Fire” and “Ice,” as they’re known, stepped on the Monmouth track
just after 7:30 a.m. (EDT) Sunday morning, with Pants on Fire working
four furlongs in :49 4/5 in company with stablemate Tripendicular
(Tiznow). Shortly thereafter, classic scorer Ruler on
Ice was caught in 1:02 3/5 for five furlongs over the fast main track
while working in company with Valley Stream (Gone West).
“They both went perfectly,” said Breen, the 42-year-old resident of
Farmingdale, New Jersey. “Nice, easy works this morning — just what we
were looking for.”
Owned by George and Lori Hall of Rumson, New Jersey, Fire and Ice
will enter the Haskell off victories — Ruler on Ice captured the
Belmont on June 11 while Pants on Fire took the Pegasus S. (G3) at
Monmouth on June 18.
With Pants on Fire’s regular pilot Rosie Napravnik on the sidelines
with an injury, Breen has found himself a new rider and one that is no
stranger to the Monmouth Park winner’s circle.
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“Elvis (Trujillo) will be aboard Pants on Fire,” the trainer said.
“(Jockey Jose) Valdivia rides Ruler on Ice. All systems are go for us.”
With 49 victories thus far, Trujillo leads all riders at the current Monmouth
Park meet. He was top rider here in 2009.
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New rider Elvis Trujillo put Pants on Fire
(outside) through his paces in advance of the Haskell
(Bill Denver/Equi-Photo) |
Combined, Fire and Ice will be the second and third Haskell starters
for Breen, who in 2006 finished second with Praying for Cash.
In addition to the Breen-duo, the Haskell is expected to draw
Preakness S. (G1) winner SHACKLEFORD (Forestry), Long Branch S. scorer
RATTLESNAKE BRIDGE (Tapit), Grade 3 hero ASTROLOGY (A.P. Indy), Grade 3
star J J’S LUCKY TRAIN (Silver Train), Federico Tesio S. king CONCEALED
IDENTITY (Smarty Jones) and either Affirmed H. (G3) winner COIL (Point
Given) or Iowa Derby (G3) conqueror PRAYER FOR RELIEF (Jump Start).
The Haskell has produced five year-end champions and a pair of Horse
of the Year winners over the past four runnings — Curlin, Big Brown,
Rachel Alexandra, Summer Bird and Lookin at Lucky.
As for the Fire and Ice party, the Halls are pulling out all the
stops to celebrate their horses running in North America’s richest
invitational horse race. Henry Sullivan, who’s married to George Hall’s
sister, has been placed in charge of the Fire and Ice festivities.
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“This is a party that’s all about Monmouth Park and getting people
excited,” said Sullivan, who also lives in Rumson. “We want to showcase
the facility. It truly is the Jewel of the Jersey Shore and we’re going
to bring in as many people as possible to enjoy this great racetrack and
a great race.”
The Fire and Ice party, which will include more than 200 of the Hall’s
closest family and friends, will spread throughout Monmouth Park. In addition to
a throng of supporters stretching from the picnic area to the Parterres, the
celebration will include a special tent adjacent to the walking ring to
accommodate the Fire and Ice festival.
