Rule By Night Wins Again
Rule by Night, who was the third horse featured in the recently introduced “New York Watch” series, located online at http://www.nyra.com/nywatch/index.html, continued his winning ways at Aqueduct Racetrack Thursday afternoon, zipping to a 2 ¼-length victory over Storm On the Moon in a six-furlong optional claimer for 3-year-olds.
Ridden by Hall of Famer Edgar Prado, Rule by Night sat just off an opening quarter in 22.83 set by Storm On the Moon, then took command on the far turn before repelling a challenge and edging clear through the stretch. The Malibu Moon colt, whose 7 ¼-length maiden victory in January landed him in the select group of promising colts and fillies that have recently cleared the maiden and allowance ranks at The New York Racing Association, Inc.’s (NYRA) three racetracks, covered the six furlongs in a brisk 1:10:30.
Another “New York Watch” member, Triple A. Rating, finished third as the even-money favorite in the field of four after challenging at the quarter-pole. Others in the elite “New York Watch” group include Grade 3 Bay Shore winner Eightyfiveinafifty; Tempted to Tapit, who subsequently was second in the Grade 2 Risen Star and third in the Grade 3 Sunland Derby; the filly Does It Every Time, Stormin Bolt, and Zio Tony.
Rule by Night paid $6.40 to win.
"Very professional,” said Prado, aboard Rule by Night for the first time. “I was very happy with the way he responded. He impressed me. I think he’ll go further."
Purchased for $200,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Sales in 2008 by Gold Square Stable, Rule by Night finished second in his first start on December 26 and came into Thursday’s race off a three-month layoff.
“I want to thank the owners for just giving us the time to let us do the right thing by the horse,” said Toby Sheets, assistant to winning trainer Steve Asmussen. “He had been training super up to the race, but he just needed some time.”
Al Gold, the colt’s owner, said he had no immediate plans for Rule by Night, other than to “keep on winning.”
Many of the industry’s brightest stars embarked upon their careers at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, including a number of recent Triple Crown race winners. Big Brown, Jazil, Birdstone, Funny Cide, and Empire Maker are all among the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes victors that kick-started their careers at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, or Saratoga.
The list also includes a brilliant triumvirate of fillies that broke their maidens at Aqueduct. Flashing, Little Belle, and Music Note all registered their first victories at the Big A before going on to win major Grade 1 races within the last two years.