Trainer Joan Scott took Florida-bred Ruler of Love from a victory against special weight maidens at Arlington Park near Chicago to stakes company at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky., and the move paid off as the 2-year-old son of Peace Rules won the $60,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Stakes Saturday.
Ridden by jockey Calvin Borel for the first time in only his fourth career start, Ruler of Love had finished fourth at Prisque Isle Downs over Polytrack before going to Arlington to finish third in his next effort and first attempt on grass, both races coming against maiden special weight company. After winning his first race next time out, Scott must have seen something in the performance that she liked as the Kentucky Downs Juvenile was his next race.
Breaking from the eight post in the field of nine, Borel immediately took Ruler of Love to the rail and the lead, just where the 3-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey feels most comfortable. While looking relaxed on the lead and some two lengths in front of the pack that included 9-5 favorite Central Bank in second and 4-1 Midas Dancer in third, Ruler of Love took the young group through fairly quick fractions of :22.78 and :45.78 through the quarter-mile and half-mile splits. The further they went, the better Ruler of Love looked and by the time they hit the finish line, Ruler of Love was three lengths in front with the order of finish not changing among the next two as Central Banker held on for second, a head in front of Midas Dancer in third. The final time for the seven furlongs was 1:24.38 over the turf course rated firm.
Ruler of Love has now won $58,710 for owners Matthew N. Rebro Jr., Frank Coniglio and Sidney Ritman. He was bred in Florida by Faye W. Little of Ocala.
Ruler of Love returned $15.60 for a $2 win ticket, $5.40 to place and $3.00 to show. Central Banker paid $4.00 and $3.20 while Midas Dancer returned $4.00 to show.
Florida-bred Rip Roarin Richie, the 3-1 second choice in the morning line, was scratched.
Photo by Kentucky Downs
