Trip Notes for October 31-November 1, 2020: Bold Ruler

Oct. 31

Belmont

Bold Ruler (race 9)

COMMENT: Field was reduced to four after a couple scratches. Main track was listed as ‘muddy’. Majestic Dunhill found Grade 1 Forego foes too much to handle at Saratoga on Aug. 29, but he rebounded with a sharp second when dropped into optional claiming company here Sept. 25. Moved back into graded stakes ranks, the 5-year-old gelding gamely notched his first graded stakes win. He broke well from his outside slot, moved to the rail to sit just behind favored pacesetter Share the Ride, remained on the fence in that rival’s wake as ‘Ride set a modest pace, was still stuck behind Share the Ride turning for home, was able to get off the rail when Arch Cat, who had been stalking to his outside, drifted out some, came out from behind ‘Ride, moved up alongside that foe to challenge in the stretch and gamely prevailed. Share the Ride, favored off a solid third in the Grade 2 Vosburgh, broke well, went right to the lead, set a modest pace under some pressure from Arch Cat to his outside, held the fence throughout, dispatched with Arch Cat into the lane, battled back gamely when confronted by Majestic Dunhill to his outside but just couldn’t quite fend off that rival. Arch Cat stalked outside and just behind Share the Ride, moved closer to that foe on the turn while staying wide, but tired a bit into the lane, drifted out a bit giving Majestic Dunhill an exit off the rail and couldn’t stay with the top two in the final furlong. Mihos sat last while saving ground early in the small field, came off the inside heading to the far turn, was asked to get going turning for home while remaining wide but was unable to make a dent.