TurfPublicists: RULE BY NIGHT RULES IN GROOVY STAKES

**Please see the attached photo of Rule by Night, winner of Sunday’s Groovy Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack**

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Contact: Jenny Kellner

RULE BY NIGHT RULES IN GROOVY STAKES

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Rule by Night took command on the far turn and blazed to a 9 ¼-length victory over Sunrise Smarty in Sunday’s $60,000 Groovy Stakes for 3-year-olds at Aqueduct Racetrack, covering the seven furlongs in 1:20.67.

It was the fastest seven furlongs run at Aqueduct since Forest Danger took the 2005 edition of the Grade 1 Carter Handicap in 1:20.46, and not far off Artax’s 1999 track record of 1:20.04.

The chestnut son of Malibu Moon, ridden by New York’s top jockey, Ramon Dominguez, tracked Bank Heist through an opening quarter-mile in 22.38 and a half-mile in 44.67 before cruising into the lead approaching the five-sixteenths pole and effortlessly drawing clear of his rivals for the victory.

The even-money favorite, Rule by Night returned $4.30 for a $2 win bet as he extended his career record to 4-2-0 from eight starts.

Trained by Steve Asmussen for Gold Square Stable, Rule by Night was a $200,000 purchase at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling sales and broke his maiden in his second start on January 23 over the Big A’s inner track. The 7 ¼-length victory earned him a spot on The New York Racing Association, Inc.’s (NYRA) “New York Watch” series, which shines the spotlight on promising colts and fillies to clear the maiden and allowance ranks at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.

Off for three months following his maiden win, Rule by Night returned to the winner’s circle on April 22 in an optional claimer at Aqueduct, then finished fifth in the Spend A Buck at Monmouth Park on May 23 and fifth in the Grade 2 Amsterdam at Saratoga on August 2. Winner of an optional claimer at Monmouth Park on August 29, he came off a six-week layoff to finish second by a neck in the Gallant Bob at Parx Racing just prior to Sunday’s race.

“He’s had a few minor things that have interrupted his training,” said Toby Sheets, who oversees trainer Asmussen’s New York division. “He’s been able to put it together this fall, and he really likes Aqueduct.”

Sheets said no plans have been made for the colt’s next start.

“We’re just going to enjoy this one,” he said.

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