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.