Calder: Cash Rules looks set to collect in Carl G. Rose

MIAMI – After winning three straight stakes against open company, including the Grade 3 Spend a Buck Handicap in his last start, Cash Rules has found what figures to be a cushier spot against statebreds in Saturday’s $150,000 Carl G. Rose Handicap at Calder.

The 1 1/8-mile Carl G. Rose traditionally highlights Florida Million Day at Calder, which features eight stakes races restricted to Florida-breds of all ages. The 12-race program also includes the $150,000 Elmer Heubeck Distaff Handicap, the $150,000 Jack Dudley Sprint Handicap and the $125,000 Bonnie Heath Turf Handicap, all for older horses, as well as four 2-year-old stakes.

Cash Rules has dominated the local handicap division during the second half of the season, posting popular victories in the Band Is Passing, Darn That Alarm, and Spend a Buck in his last three starts, all at 1 1/16 miles. If Cash Rules has an Achilles’ heel in the Carl Rose it could be distance, as he finished off the board in his only previous try going nine furlongs two years ago in the Grade 3 Fred Hooper.

Cash Rules will also concede from seven to 10 pounds to his five rivals on Saturday, carrying top weight of 122 pounds including regular rider Luis Saez.

“Obviously this is a good spot, and he’s done everything right since the Spend a Buck,” said trainer David Fawkes, who has horses entered in five of the eight stakes on the card. “I think the distance should be good for him. The one time he ran a mile and one-eighth was in the Hooper a couple of years ago against horses like Tackleberry and Mambo Meister, and he hurt himself in that race and didn’t run again for 18 months.”

Fawkes says the weight is a concern but understands it’s a product of his horse’s success this season.

“You never like to give that kind of weight away, especially at this kind of distance, but what can you do about it,” said Fawkes. “My main concern is Megamove getting loose on the lead, but we break right next to him and we’re not going to let that happen.”

A pair of 3-year-olds, Megamove and He’s Spectacular, make their stakes debuts in the Carl G. Rose, with both entering the race at the top of their games.

Megamove has been a consistent sort for trainer Ron Spatz throughout the second half of the season and exits the best race of his career, a game head victory against mid-level optional claiming company on Oct. 25, for which he received a career-best 93 Beyer Speed Figure.

He’s Spectacular posted three straight victories since being claimed by trainer Humbero Toldeo for $6,250 on Sept. 19, steadily ascending the class ladder before finishing second against mid-level starter allowance company two weeks ago.

Completing the lineup are Imperial Czar, whose form has tailed off badly since he won the Miami Mile Handicap over a wet track in April, Kings Over, and Decaf Again.