Plainsman Returns to New York for Bold Ruler

Shortleaf Steady’s two-time graded stakes winner Plainsman  will make the trek back to the Empire State to take on a field of eight Oct. 31 in the $200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) going seven furlongs at Belmont Park.

Slated as Race 7 on Sunday’s nine-race card with a 3:49 p.m. ET submit time, the Daring Ruler for 3-year-olds and up headlines the day, which incorporates two divisions of the $100,000 Pumpkin Pie Stakes at seven furlongs for fillies and mares. 

Attributable to vital rainfall from a coastal storm that impacted Lengthy Island Oct. 26-27, a trio of turf stakes initially slated for Sunday—the $150,000 Zagora Stakes, the $100,000 Chelsey Flower Stakes, and the $100,000 Awad Stakes—have been rescheduled for the next weekend. 

Plainsman, skilled by Brad Cox, captured the 2018 Discovery Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack throughout his sophomore marketing campaign, turning again eventual graded stakes winner Title Ready  and that year’s Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) runner-up Gronkowski . The 6-year-old Flatter   bay arrives at the Bold Ruler off a sharp one-length triumph in the Oct. 2 Ack Ack Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, the place he recorded a career-best 100 Beyer Pace Determine. 

Sporting an achieved 8-6-3 report from 25 begins with a field-best bankroll of $729,207, Plainsman has received 4 of his final 5 begins, throughout totally different ovals. Following an allowance non-obligatory claiming rating April 15 at Oaklawn Park, he upped his recreation with victories within the June 4 Jim Rasmussen Stakes at Prairie Meadows and the Michael G. Schaefer Memorial Stakes almost 5 weeks later at Indiana Grand Race Course. 

Plainsman additionally received an allowance race at Belmont in September of 2018.

“He is been doing nice after the Ack Ack. He appears to love the observe up at Belmont, so it made sense to ship him up for this spot that is a bit of simpler,” Cox mentioned. “We’re taking issues one race at a time, however he is been in nice type this 12 months and has all the time confirmed to be versatile.”

Carrying 123 kilos, the highest weight within the subject, Plainsman will break from submit 3 beneath Joel Rosario.

Coach Brittany Russell will saddle graded stakes-placed Wondrwherecraigis , who captured the restricted Tale of the Cat in August at Saratoga Race Course two begins again. 

Owned by Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group, Madaket Stables, and Michael Caruso, Wondrwherecraigis crossed the wire first final out within the Sept. 18 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Sprint (G3) at Pimlico Race Course, however was disqualified to second for drifting out into Jalen Journey  at the sixteenth pole. 

Luis Saez, who piloted the 4-year-old Munnings   gelding to victory in the Tale of the Cat, will be back aboard from post 7 as part of a 120-pound assignment.

Gold Square’s Wendell Fong  (118 pounds) arrives off a nearly seven-month respite while making his debut for trainer Chad Summers. The 5-year-old son of Flat Out   was second in the March 6 Tom Fool Handicap (G3) last out at Aqueduct where he made up considerable ground in the stretch to finish 3 1/2 lengths behind winner Chateau . Wendell Fong was victorious in his 2021 commencement, capturing the Jan. 16 Fire Plug Stakes at Laurel Park. Jose Lezcano has the decision from submit 5. 

Pink Oak Steady homebred Bal Harbour  (118 pounds) will attempt to overcome a 17-race losing streak for trainer Gregg Sacco. Although winless since capturing the Gio Ponti Stakes in November 2018 at Aqueduct, Bal Harbour has consistently made good showings at a high level the past few years, adding nine graded stakes-placings since his last coup. Manny Franco will ride from post 2. 

Completing the field are Lil Commissioner , Drafted , Continuation , and Amatteroftime .