Lori and George Hall’s 4-year-old gelding Ruler On Ice, winner of the
2011 Belmont Stakes (G1), remains on target to make his season debut in
the $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1) at Gulfstream Park on Sat., Feb. 11,
according to trainer Kelly Breen.
“He came out of his last race with a little lung infection that took
awhile to clean out, but he’s doing great now,” said Breen Thursday
afternoon. “When he was down here in Florida last winter he just wasn’t
right (made 2011 debut at Aqueduct in early February), but he couldn’t
be doing any better now.
“He loves it at Palm Meadows. You won’t see a work on him this weekend,
probably just a two-minute lick, and then a final workout on Super Bowl
morning (Feb. 5). We’re looking for a good transition from his three to
four-year-old (season).”
A son of Roman Ruler purchased for $200,000 at the Keeneland September
sale, Ruler On Ice was among the contenders for an Eclipse Award as
champion 3-year-old after finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
(G1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5. He made a bid to enhance his chances
with voters running in the Clark Handicap (G1) at Churchill on Nov. 25,
but obviously was not at his best that day finishing fifth.