Gentle Ruler continues her winning ways in Keeneland's Dowager

Morshes Stable's Gentle Ruler saved ground throughout and surged to the lead in mid-stretch to score the second graded stakes win of her career in the Grade 3, $125,000 Dowager Stakes at Keeneland on Sunday.

Gentle Ruler and jockey Chris Landeros raced along the hedge in mid-pack in the 1 1/2-mile turf contest behind moderate fractions of :26.1, :52.42 and 1:18.16 for six furlongs. As longshot Sea Dream took the took the field 10 furlongs in 2:08.57, Gentle Ruler was angled out for the stretch drive and quickly spurted clear of the 12-horse field. 

Elysea's World, who vied for favoritism with Gentle Ruler, was also well-back throughout before rallying down the middle of the stretch. However, there was no catching Gentle Ruler as that filly would easily hold on to win by 2 1/2-lengths. Longshot Decorating completed the trifecta. 

“I knew we were going a little slow (early in the race)," Landeros said. "When I crossed the finish the first time (past the tote board), I took a peek over my left (shoulder) and I saw the :26 and change and I thought I better start creeping up a little earlier today. She’s so game."

Trained by Ian Wilkes, Gentle Ruler rewarded her backers with a $6.20 win mutuel. 

A 4-year-old daughter of Colonel John, Gentle Ruler has now won six of seven starts on the year. Most recently she won the Ramsey Farms Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 12 to go with victories in the Keertana Stakes at Churchill Downs and Robert G. Dick Memorial (G3) at Delaware Park. 

Wilkes provided a simple explanation for Gentle Ruler's blossoming as a an older filly. 

“Maturity. Simple thing as maturity," Wilkes said. "The filly as a 4-year-old has grown up. Before, she was always quirky, wouldn’t go to the track without a pony. This year, she’ll go to the track without the pony, and she’s just grown up.”

Wilkes added Gentle Ruler will be given a break and point to a 5-year-old campaign.

“She’s done for the year now," Wilkes said. "We’ll bring her back next year, and we’ll give her a shot at some better company. I just didn’t think she was quite ready this year. She’s doing really great, but next year we’ll give her a shot and see how good she can get. We’ll let her dictate everything.”

Landeros, who has been aboard Gentle Ruler for all six of her wins this year, heaped praise on the training job with this filly by Wilkes.

"Ian (Wilkes) has her primed and ready every time," said Landeros, who has been aboard Gentle Ruler for all six of her wins this year. "Thankful to the owners for the opportunity. When you ride a horse like her, it makes my job a lot easier.”

Overall, Gentle Ruler now sports a record of 18: 6-3-5 and the $75,000 winner's share pushes her earnings to $718,453.

Pantsonfire, who shipped in from Southern California for trainer Richard Baltas, was scratched.