Wolfson won't let Rulebook face Listen Here
MIAMI - Trainer Marty Wolfson is considering the $200,000 Remsen Stakes for Rulebook, his improving 2-year-old who finished a wide-running second behind even-money favorite Booklet in the In Reality Stakes at Calder on Oct. 13.
"It all depends on who goes in there," Wolfson said during training hours on Saturday. "I think there's a pretty good shot the race could come up with a short field. I guess there's a chance Booklet could run, although the one I don't want to face is Bill Mott's undefeated colt Listen Here."
Wolfson purchased Rulebook privately for owner Don Hutson following his maiden win in late July. A son of Notebook, Rulebook turned in a couple of disappointing efforts in the opening two legs of the Florida Stallion Series, after which it was discovered he was suffering from pharyngitis, a throat inflammation.
Rulebook has shown marked improvement since recovering from that ailment and stretching out around two turns. He finished second under entry-level allowance conditions going a mile before his big effort in the Stallion Series finale, the 1 1/16-mile In Reality.
"He was pretty sick, which is why he ran so poorly in the first two Stallion races," said Wolfson. "And he's definitely a better horse going long. He was wide and under a steady drive from the five-eighths pole to the wire in the In Reality and kept on running hard right to the end."
While Wolfson is unsure whether he will send Rulebook to New York later this month, he said he has already made definite plans to ship Mr. Pleasentfar to Aqueduct for Saturday's $150,000 Red Smith Handicap. That Grade 2 event will be decided at the same 1 3/8-mile distance as the Flying Pigeon Handicap, which the Brazilian-bred Mr. Pleasentfar won here last month.
DQ still smarting
Wolfson was still bristling Saturday morning over the disqualification of his Smilin' N Blushing from an apparent victory in Friday's third race.
Smilin' N Blushing was disqualified and placed ninth for causing interference on the far turn after blowing by the tiring leaders and opening a commanding advantage around the second bend. She then withstood the final bid of Jennasietta, who was ultimately placed first following the claim of foul by jockey Abel Castellano Jr., who finished sixth aboard Nizy's Lizzie.
Wolfson said he spoke with Smilin' N Blushing's jockey, Julio Garcia, "and he said he went by Nizy's Lizzy so fast he thought it kind of took her and her rider by surprise - scared them - and they reacted by ducking to the inside and bumped that other horse.
"I talked with my owner this morning and it looks like he's going to go ahead and appeal."