Ruler of Dubai Surprises in Graduation
Harout Keshishian’s Ruler of Dubai, a 14-1 outsider despite the presence in the saddle of jockey Garrett Gomez, outduelled another longshot, 10-1 Three Vases, in a stretch-long battle to win the featured $100,000 Graduation Stakes for California-bred two-year-olds Wednesday.
Ruler of Dubai, a son of Tribal Rule trained by George Papaprodromou, was well-placed on the outside from the start of the 5 1/2 furlong dash and prevailed by a head over a stubborn rival, Three Vases, making his career debut under Tyler Baze.
Rousing Sermon closed stoutly to be third, 1 1/4 lengths behind the
runner-up and a head in front of fourth-place Unhitchthetrailor. Sherman
Bartlebort, the even-money favorite, finished a disappointing sixth
after acting up at the gate prior to the start.
Ruler of Dubai, fourth in an allowance race just a week ago, ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.48 and returned $31.80, $14.60 and $7.40 for his second win in four starts. First money was $60,000.
Three Vases paid $10.40 and $5.80, while Rousing Sermon returned 4.40 to show.
Ruler of Dubai provided Gomez with his third winner of the afternoon, the multi- Eclipse Award-winning rider having won the first and third races on Imperial Pride and Miss Georgie Girl, respectively.
Wednesday’s crowd totaled 13,043, same as a year ago on the corresponding afternoon.