Chelsea Durand / NYRA Photo

Rustler goes wire-to-wire at 21-1 odds in $100K Carle Place

by Ryan Martin

PT and K Stable’s Rustler broke on top and never looked back, capturing the inaugural running of the $100,000 Carle Place, a seven-furlong Widener turf test for sophomores at Belmont Park.

Trained by Dane Kobiskie, the dark bay son of Dominus made his stakes debut off a narrow triumph against winners on September 12 at Kentucky Downs.

Rustler broke well from post 8 under jockey Kendrick Carmouche and clocked the opening quarter-mile in 22.74 seconds over the firm going with Snow House tracking a close second to his outside.

Rustler maintained his advantage through a half-mile in 45.95 as Carmouche started getting busy approaching upper stretch. Under right-handed encouragement, Rustler fended off Snow House and last-out stakes winner Smokin’ Jay to score a 21-1 upset in a final time of 1:20.79.

Smokin’ Jay garnered the place spot, a nose to the better of Snow House.

Completing the order of finish were Kawhi Me A River, Ocala Dream, Easy Time, Crowded Trade [the 5-2 post-time favorite, who was off slow from the gate], Indian Lake, Wolfie’s Dynaghost and Town of Gold. Resist the Devil and Arzak were scratched.

Rustler returned $44 for a $2 win wager and upped his record to a consistent 10-3-2-2 and earnings to $220,730.

Carmouche said he anticipated an eager break from the gate aboard Rustler, who had displayed stalking tactics in his last two starts.

“I warmed the horse up and he was nice and calm. He felt like he would leave there running,” Carmouche said. “My horse was running easy. He switched leads at the quarter pole to the right lead. I knew I still had horse when he switched leads – I was like, ‘Wow, I just got to ride him home from here.' I stayed after him and he kept running.”

Rustler was a maiden winner at sixth asking via disqualification on July 9 travelling 5 ½ furlongs over the Ellis Park turf.

Bred in Kentucky by Dr. John E. Little, Rustler was bought for $2,500 from the 2019 Fasig-Tipton October Sale. He is out of the Tale of the Cat mare Latest Thinking.

Live racing returns Saturday at Belmont Park with a 10-race card, featuring the Grade 2, $400,000 Hill Prince for 3-year-olds going nine furlongs on the inner turf and the Grade 3, $200,000 Noble Damsel for fillies and mares going one mile over the Widener turf. First post is 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the fall meet at Belmont Park on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.

 NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Belmont Park, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.