After Florida-bred Missy Rules won her first race from gate-to-wire against special weight maidens at Delaware Park on May 30, trainer Randy Nunley immediately went straight to stakes company in the filly’s next start where she finished fifth and last in the $50,000 White Clay Creek Stakes on July 4. Nunley decided to give her another race before trying stakes again as Missy Rules came back to finish third against first level allowance fillies on Sept. 11 at Delaware which now looks to have been a good plan.
Saturday at Delaware Park, the daughter of Peace Rules and Missy McKee, by Silver Deputy again went to the front but this time would not relinquish the lead and won the $60,000 New Castle Stakes.
Ridden for first time by jockey Jose C. Caraballo, Missy Rules broke well but was immediately engaged by 9-5 second choice Chifa racing along the rail. Those two went down the backstretch together before Missy Rules was able to get clear in the turn and began to put distance between herself and her six rivals and they straightened away for home. In front by as many as three lengths midstretch, Missy Rules was never threatened by the late run of long shot Funny Lady who was just two and three-quarter lengths shy of catching Missy Rules at the wire. Lost Memory got up for third while Chifa faded to finish sixth. Final time for the five and one-half furlongs was 1:05.92 on a main track rated wet fast.
Bred in Florida by Porter Racing Stable LLC of Brooksville, Missy Rules more than doubled her career earnings to $64,270. Let go at nearly 6-1 odds, Missy Rules paid $13.40 to her wagering supporters with win tickets, $7.00 to place and $3.00. Funny Lady paid $8.00 to place and $5.80 show and the two combined for a healthy $57.10 for a $1 exacta. Lost Memory paid $2.60 to show.
