How to bet the 2023 Bold Ruler Stakes

A total of nine one-turn specialists will run six furlongs on the Aqueduct dirt in Friday’s $200,000 Bold Ruler S. (G3). The race is led by a pair of major players from the barn of David Jacobson who were assigned the inner two post slots, but I will search for another who could capitalize on an expected swift and contested pace in the heat. 

Bold Ruler Wagers

• $5 exacta key box 6 with 1,2,9 ($30)
• $1 superfecta 6 with 1,2 with 1,2,9 with all ($24)

The Michael Moore-trained #6 Twisted Ride has been in solid form over his last trio of assignments and gets top billing with Jose Ortiz in the irons. Multiple stakes victor dons a 7-3-3-0 lifetime mark at the trip and received a perfect post draw with much of the early gas drawn to his inside. The four-year-old son of Great Notion has won or placed in eight of his last nine races in total, and the gelding had a useful prep for this dash when second behind a sharp winner at Laurel Park last time out, as well. He will stalk the tempo before putting in his run at the top of the lane. 

Jacobson’s #2 Durante is a head shy from posting five wins in succession. The talented son of Distorted Humor possesses good gate presence, an affinity for the local oval, and the post draw to take the race to his foes from the break. Kentucky-bred gelding doesn’t need the lead in order to run big, but the bay figures to be contesting the pace from the outset with Manny Franco in the stirrups. 

Rumson S. hero #1 Stage Left, also from the Jacobson shedrow, has been more involved in his races as of late and the new tactic has done well for him. Congrats seven-year-old wasn’t at his best when third in the Lite The Fuse S. at Pimlico last time out, but he has good local experience combined with a rail draw to save ground throughout the event. Isaac Castillo will be in the silks. 

Grade 2 winner #9 High Oak, one of two for Bill Mott, has raced back into form in his last three outings and gets exotics attention from the outside post slot. Gormley colt has faced some of the top sprinters in training as of late and will appreciate the level of class relief with Irad Ortiz Jr. taking the reins.