Trainer Kelly John Breen confirmed classic winner Ruler On Ice and multiple graded stakes victor Pants On Fire will make their next starts
in the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on
Sunday, July 31.
“Fire” and “Ice”, as they’re known, stepped on the Monmouth
track just after 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning, with Pants On Fire working four
furlongs in :49 4/5. Shortly thereafter,
Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice was caught in 1:02 3/5 for five furlongs
over the fast main track.
“They both went perfectly,” said Breen, the 42-year-old
resident of Farmingdale, N.J. “Nice,
easy works this morning – just what we were looking for.”
Owned by George and Lori Hall of Rumson, N.J., Fire and Ice enter
the Resorts Haskell off victories – Ruler on Ice, the son of 2005 Haskell
winner Roman Ruler, captured the Belmont Stakes on June 11, while Pants on Fire
took the Grade 3 Pegasus here 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.
“Elvis (Trujillo) will be aboard Pants On Fire,” the trainer
said. “Valdivia (jockey Jose) 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.
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 Resorts Haskell is
expected to draw Preakness winner Shackleford, Rattlesnake Bridge, Astrology, J
J’s Lucky Train, Concealed Identity and either Coil or Prayer for Relief.
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.
“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.