House Rules Exits Rampart in Fine Fettle
Joseph Shields Jr.’s House Rules walked trainer Jimmy Jerkens’ shed row Sunday morning after capturing her first graded stakes victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Rampart (G3) at Gulfstream. Jerkens reported that the 4-year-old filly, who finished second in both the Davona Dale (G2) and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in 2014, was doing well after the win.
“She looks okay. She walked out here alright this morning,” Jerkens said.
The bay filly, who previously romped in Gulfstream’s Bal Harbour Handicap on Jan. 2 by 9 ½ lengths, came away with a 1 ½-length win in the Rampart after opening a clear lead at the top of the stretch and holding off strong rallies from Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes winner Sheer Drama and Comely Stakes (G3) winner Wedding Toast. The Rampart was her third victory in her last four starts.
“It was nice to see, because she had run through her conditions, but we hadn’t had much luck with her when we stepped her up [to graded stakes competition] until yesterday, so that was nice to see,” Jerkens said. “Every time, since last spring, she hasn’t been able to step it up against better and compete, and yesterday she did.”
Jerkens agreed that House Rules’ performance was a breakthrough one, especially when taking account of the caliber of the fillies and mares that also competed in the race.
“I think you’d have to say so, considering that the filly that finished third (Wedding Toast) was certainly well meant, and there was a lot of hard-knocking fillies in there, maybe not top-of-the-line, but ones who have always been right there in graded races throughout their whole lives.”
House Rules increased her bankroll to $374,503 with her Rampart victory. She now boasts a record of 3-3-0 from seven starts at Gulfstream.
‘Class Act’ Ekati’s Phaeton Exits Davona Dale (G2) Win in Good Order
Phaedrus Flights LLC's Ekati's Phaeton is in fine fettle following her hard-fought success in yesterday's $200,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Bill Kaplan, the 3-year-old filly led at every call and battled bravely late when challenged by favorites Birdatthewire and Eskenforthemoney.
"She's perfect this morning," Kaplan commented. "She's a class act."
Ekati's Phaeton, a daughter of multiple Grade 1 winner Tale of Ekati, captured the six-furlong Old Hat Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream on January 3 before finishing fourth to Birdatthewire in the Forward Gal Stakes (G3) over seven panels three weeks later. Her connections are now weighing the swift filly's options for her next mission, with the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) on March 28 a prime consideration.
"We're discussing it with the owners and the stable manager, there's a possibility here at Gulfstream," Kaplan confirmed. "She's certainly got the speed, so we'll find out (if she can stretch out). I sure hope so. She'll breeze again in about two weeks."
Phaedrus Flights, the nom de course of Jim and Mona Bryant, acquired the Ekati's Phaeton as a yearling for $50,000 in Ocala. She was slated to sell 12 months ago at a 2-year-old sale, but did not meet her reserve when bidding stopped at $150,000.
"She breezed well, but bucked shins so we decided to go to the races with her," racing manager John Dowd, who trained Songandaprayer to a victory in the 2001 Fountain of Youth, said after the Davona Dale. "She's always been very athletic and fast. It was just a question of how she could carry her speed."
Ekati's Phaeton has now earned $241,840 in winning four of her seven career starts.
Source: Gulfstream Park Press Release