Saturday, Monmouth Park
MONMOUTH CUP S.-GII, $195,000, MTH, 7-7, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:37 3/5, ft.
1--RULE, 116, h, 5, by Roman Ruler
        1st Dam: Rockcide, by Personal Flag
        2nd Dam: Belle's Good Cide, by Slewacide
        3rd Dam: Belle of Killarney, by Little Current
O/B-WinStar Farm LLC (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher; J-Joe Bravo; $120,000. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 16-6-2-5, $1,139,700. Werk Nick Rating: A Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.


2--Flat Out, 116, h, 6, Flatter--Cresta Lil, by Cresta Rider. ($11,000 wlng '06 OBSOCT; $85,000 yrl '07 FTKJUL). O-Preston Stables LLC; B-Nikolaus Bock (FL); T-William I Mott; $40,000.


3--Sloane Ranger, 120, g, 6, Parker's Storm Cat-- Toppenish, by You and I. O/B-Vicky Schowe (PA); T-Martin E Ciresa; $20,000.
Margins: 1HF, HD, 4HF. Odds: 2.70, 1.40, 9.20.
Also Ran: San Pablo, Cactus Charlie. Scratched: Ponzi Scheme.
Click for the brisnet.com chart, the brisnet.com PPs, the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree or the video, sponsored by Taylor Made Sales.
   Rule stamped himself as an early contender for the 2010 Kentucky Derby after winning the GIII Sam F. Davis S. and the previous year's GIII Delta Jackpot, but after a third to Ice Box (Pulpit) in the GI Florida Derby, connections opted to give him some time. He was slow to get going last season, making five starts before winning the Birdstone S. at Saratoga Aug. 4. He followed that with a third to Havre de Grace (Saint Liam) in the GI Woodward S. Sept. 3. Off since finishing eighth as the chalk in the GII Hawthorne Gold Cup H. Oct. 8, Rule was sent off the third choice in this comeback. Hustled out from the outside post six, the 5-2 chance was just off the pacesettting Sloane Ranger as they set dawdling :25 2/5 and :49 3/5 splits. He put a neck in front nearing the quarter pole and responded to Joe Bravo's urging to give jockey and trainer Todd Pletcher the stakes double at Monmouth. They also teamed to win the GI United Nations S. with Turbo Compressor (Halo's Image). "He came out of the gate with running on his mind," said Bravo. "I don't care how long the layoff, this horse was ready to go the minute the gates opened. He was doing it very easy. Todd had him ready to run, and I just steered him around the track."