Litfin's preview: Breeders' Cup defectors meet in Bold Ruler
River Rocks, Salutos Amigos clash in Bold Ruler
Saturday’s Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap should play similarly to a third-level allowance on closing weekend at Saratoga, when odds-on River Rocks led throughout, with second choice Salutos Amigos chasing him around the track.
Both 4-year-olds bypassed the Breeders’ Cup in order to stay home. River Rocks is not Breeders’ Cup nominated, but after the colt’s sharp second in the Kelso, his connections seriously considered supplementing to either the six-furlong Sprint or Dirt Mile, before settling on the Bold Ruler.
“I think seven furlongs is a very good distance for him,”” said trainer John Terranova.
Salutos Amigos, who was pre-entered in the Sprint, won his first three starts after being acquired by David Jacobson earlier this year, and has since run competitively in the True North, Belmont Sprint Championship, and the Vosburgh.
The $200,000 Bold Ruler is carded as the third of 10 races, with post time scheduled for 1:52 p.m. Eastern.
Wide-open Chelsea Flower
After being rained off for three straight days, there will be finally be turf racing on Saturday, although it’s possible at least a couple of the six scheduled grass races will be moved to the main track.
The ground will probably be no better than “yielding” for the Chelsea Flower Stakes, which attracted some promising 2-year-old fillies among the 11 entered for grass.
Ack Naughty, Margaret Reay, Miss Chatelaine, My Cara Mia, Path, and Skinner Box have all recorded Beyer Figure tops within a few points of each other on turf, but with the exception of Skinner Box, who was third in the Natalma on a yielding course at Woodbine, none have experience with non-firm turf.
The $100,000 Chelsea Flower is race 8, and second leg of a late pick four with a $300,000 guaranteed pool.
Horse to watch
SONORA
Trainer: Eddie Kenneally
Last race: Oct. 23, 6th
Finish: 2nd by head
Beyer: 73
Raced four wide on the turn, challenged the odds-on winner in the stretch, and finished with good determination to narrowly miss while shying out a bit late in debut over a sloppy track.