Francesca Le Donne Photo

Awesome Banner returns to New York in G3 Bold Ruler

by Najja Thompson

Set to make his first start in New York since finishing second in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt this summer at Saratoga Race Course, Jacks or Better Farm's homebred multiple graded stakes winner Awesome Banner will headline a field of 11 in Saturday's Grade 3, $200,000 Bold Ruler for 3-year-olds and up going seven furlongs on Saturday at Belmont Park.

Trained by Kenneth Decker, the 4-year-old colt by Awesome of Course has yet to reach the winner's circle from eight starts this year, but has finished second in three graded stakes, most recently getting caught at the wire by a nose in the Grade 2 Phoenix on October 6 at Keeneland. Putting up a flashy four-furlong gate work in 48 seconds in his most recent breeze last Friday at Laurel Park, Decker believes Awesome Banner is primed for a big effort heading into the Bold Ruler.

"He's come out of his last race really good," said Decker. "His last work coming into this was from the gate and real nice. He seems to be ready to go."

With two wins from five starts at the distance, including a disappointing ninth-place finish in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap last April at Aqueduct Racetrack, Decker isn't concerned with the distance and is willing to put a line through that race.

"I think he can go that far [seven furlongs]," said Decker. "He's run pretty competitive at Gulfstream [at the distance] and in the Carter [Handicap] we had a few equipment changes coming into the race so I didn't think distance had anything to do with his effort. We tried blinkers and he didn't seem to like it, but he's been good ever since. Ideally, we'd like to break clean and we're not afraid to go to the front, but we'll leave that up to Jose."

Drawing post 2, Awesome Banner will be depart with Jose Lezcano aboard.

Divining Rod is cutting back to seven furlongs coming off a second-place effort in the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap, for trainer Arnaud Delacour and Lael Stables.

The 5-year-old son of Tapit most recently posted a 104 Beyer Speed Figure in the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap on September 23, where he finished second.

"He's come back in great shape since the Kelso," said Delacour. "I think seven-eighths might be a little short for him, but he's a very good racehorse. He can move on his own or in company. Ideally, we'd like to use this race as a prep for the [Grade 1, $750,000] Cigar Mile [December 2] but we'll see how this goes first."

With Daniel Centeno aboard, the pair will leave from post 11.

Grizzled veteran Stallwalkin' Dude will enter for owner and trainer David Jacobson and Head of Plains Partners. The 7-year-old has two wins from nine starts this year and has four wins from 14 starts at the distance. He enters off a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Vosburgh on September 30. 

Current meet leader Irad Ortiz, Jr. will be aboard Stallwalkin' Dude as the pair leave from post 7.

G M B Racing and trainer Dallas Stewart will enter Tom's Ready. The multiple graded stakes winning son of More Than Ready, most recently finished third in the Kelso after racing five wide most of the way.  

Drawing post 6, Tom's Ready will be ridden by Joel Rosario.

Rounding out the field is Tale of S'avall for owner Charles Fipke and trainer Barclay Tagg; Beasley for trainer Mark Hennig and owners Mark Grier and Lewis Lee; Green Gratto for owner and trainer Gaston Grant and Anthony Grant; Mr. Crow for KRA Stud Farm and trainer Todd Pletcher; Seymourdini for trainer Linda Rice and owners Iris Smith Stable; and Ready for Rye, for Chalk Racing and trainer Tom Albertrani.