Jose Valdivia, Jr. rides Ruler on Ice #3 to victory over Javier Castellano and Stay Thirsty #2 during the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 11, 2011. - Getty Images / Story By Tom Dawson

Make Room for the Ruler

Move over Bird…here comes the Ruler. The life-size likeness of Mine That Bird which stands just inside the clubhouse entrance at Sunland Park is not likely to lose its prime spot. But somewhere on the premises, there should be a tribute to Ruler On Ice.

Last Saturday, he became the second Sunland Derby alum in three years to capture a Triple Crown race by splashing his way to a three-quarter length score in the Belmont Stakes. That, coupled with the third-place finish of Astrology in the Preakness, makes New Mexico’s only graded Thoroughbred race one of the key three-year old preps of 2011.

Ruler on Ice was third here in March but was only a jump short of catching Astrology for the place. That was his stakes debut. The gelding’s only other pre-Belmont start was a second in the Federico Tesio at Pimlico in May. To many observers and handicappers, he was an unremarkable addition to the Belmont field.

But there was one very key note in his past performances. Blinkers On. And the change was far from a last-minute decision.

When I interviewed trainer Kelly Breen at the Sunland Derby draw, he talked about Ruler On Ice like a father would discuss an underperforming child with poor study habits. Here’s what he said:

“To me so far he’s been an underachiever because he trains so well in the morning. I know he’s run four times and he has two wins but he trains in the morning like he should have won one of those races by about ten lengths. He doesn’t seem to be that mature. He’s the kind of horse that maybe a set of blinkers might be in his future, or he’s going to grow up and, you know, show up”.

He showed up in the Belmont, blinkers and all, at 24-1.

The entire interview with Kelly Green is still available on this website. Click on the Sunland Park icon and go to watch Sunland Derby videos.

I talked to Breen again after the Sunland Derby. He did not specifically mention the Belmont and in fact may have been thinking more of the Preakness at that time. But the key point he made was that Ruler on Ice had always been somewhat difficult and finicky, and the plan was to ease Ruler On Ice to the next level.

He next ran on Kentucky Derby day, but several hundred miles from the throng of 160,000 at Churchill Downs. Breen obviously got exactly what he wanted from the Tesio stakes…more incremental development.

Next stop, Belmont Park.

Are all Belmont winners memorable? Certainly not. Even if you only include the last decade.

Who was Wayne Lukas’ last Belmont winner? It was Commendable in 2000.

Who paid the highest price in Belmont history just two years later? (Sarava)

What was the name of the wire-to-wire winner in the Big Brown Belmont fiasco? (Da’Tara).

All enjoyed a brief fanfare, then became trivia answers.

But I think it’s too early to place a toe-tag on the 2011 version.

It is certainly true that this three-year-old crop has been generally maligned. Several who appeared to be prime contenders either went on injured reserve or failed to live up to expectation.

The sloppy conditions and Animal Kingdom’s unfortunate stumble, which took him completely out of position, are other factors which will be presented as evidence to dismiss this Belmont’s importance.

But what if Ruler On Ice was not merely the recipient of a solid training plan, beneficial equipment change, favorable track conditions and the favorite’s misfortune? What if he is just getting started?

That’s the position I’m taking. Given the horse’s history and developmental pattern, I’m prepared to believe he has more good things in front of him.

If Ruler On Ice keeps collecting Grade 1s, Sunland Park may have to build a bigger room to honor the alumni.
 

Tom Dawson – Owner of Mirage Media Inc. Free Lance sports Television producer for horse racing and other sports airing on ESPN, ABC & other networks. Over 500 live remotes produced. Joined SureBet in 2010