Pants on Fire and Ruler on Ice work between races to keep sharp ahead of the Haskell Invitational, Shackleford stuns at Churchill Downs
With one week to go, Haskell entrants sharpened for their role in the $1 million dollar Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on 31 July.
The most prominent and the likely favourites to win the race are Kelly Breen trained local favourites Pants on Fire and Ruler on Ice. On 24 July between races at Monmouth Park, the Kelly Breen Duo lockstep in a four furlong breeze.
In front of the Jersey Shore crowd Ruler on Ice and Pants on Fire who are both owned by George and Lori Hall, started off at the half a mile pole.
Pants on Fire began on the rail and his stable mate Ruler on Ice from the opposite end on the outside. It was an intriguing session to watch as the duo matched strides to nail the first quarter in :23 3/5 seconds and went on to cross the wire in 47 seconds.
Breen wanted his horses to complete the distance under 48 seconds and that’s what they did. Ruler on Ice and Pants on Fire are coming off a win and it’s important for the team to keep them sharp ahead of the Haskell Invitational, which will undergo in one
week’s time.
The connections weren’t the only ones impressed with the drills, jockeys Elvis Trujillo and Jose Valdivia Jr. also liked the speed the two put together in the four furlong workout session.
Elvis Trujillo, who will be riding Pants on Fire for the Haskell spoke highly of the colt, said he was smooth in his approach and went really well, looks like he is ready to go.
On the other hand Ruler on Ice ride for Haskell, Jose Valdivia Jr. said the colt has been working fine and he’s ready to rock and roll. Jose Valdivia guided the colt to an upset victory in the Belmont Stakes.
Down at Louisville, Kentucky the likely favourite Shackleford also breezed five furlongs at Churchill Downs in a swift 58.60 seconds. He ran on a fast track on a hot and humid 24 July morning.
The 2011 Preakness Stakes winner is scheduled to ship from Churchill Downs on 25 July, and he will reach Monmouth Park on 26 July.
Tammy Fox aboard Shackleford, galloped a nice six furlongs in 1 minute and 13.40 seconds, fast work out would have sent a strong message to Monmouth Park. Shackleford’s work out came hours after the Breen duo workout session.
Coil son of Point Given, trained by Bob Baffert will make the Haskell line up even stronger and interesting, as he is fully capable of spurring a surprise or two in the big guns.
Other prospects are Rattlesnake Bridge, J J’s Lucky Train, Concealed identity, Astrology and Prayer for Relief. It all adds up to a 9 power house field of horses to take on each other in $1million Haskell Invitational.
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