Bold Ruler Handicap 2013 Contenders at Belmont Park

Las Vegas, NV - Belmont Park in Elmont, New York will be the scene of the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap this Saturday, October 26. Horses three years old and upward will be featured in this seven furlong dash as they chase the winner's share of the $150,000 purse.

A field of six will line up in the Bold Ruler - race 8 on Belmont Park's Saturday schedule. Post time is 4:34 PM. Let's take a brief look into the past performances of all six entries for this Grade 3 stakes.

2013 Bold Ruler Handicap Race Favorite Entries

Strapping Groom - raced in graded stakes company for the first time in July and finished fifth in the Grade 3 James Marvin here but followed that with a good win in the minor Kid Russell Stakes August 12 and his best ever result - a win in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga August 31 at 15-1 odds Last time out was another good effort - a third in the Grade 1 Vosburgh on this track September 28. Before the James Marvin he won three times and finished second twice in his five previous starts including a nice 3 1/2 length win in the 6 1/2 furlong minor Lion Cavern Stakes with a 104 Beyer Speed Figure at Belmont Park June 26 and an unfortunate 11 month layoff. Strapping Groom has eight wins, five seconds and two third place finishes in 23 career starts and enters the Bold Ruler as the 9-5 favorite on the morning line based on his recent success against top runners. Junior Alvarado gets the call from the far outside post Saturday on the 122-pound highweight.

Forty Tales - Todd Pletcher pupil started two-for-two in his career and then was a disappointing fifth in the Grade 3 Swale Stakes at Gulfstream March 2 after a good second in the Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes as 9-5 favorite February 2. He then posted three straight terrific wins - in the Grade 3 Derby Trial by a neck over Capo Bastone April 27, the Grade 2 Woody Stephens over Declan's Warrior by three quarters of a length June 8 at Belmont Park and in the Grade 2 Amsterdam July 28. Last time out was a fourth in the Grade 1 Vosburgh here September 28 after another fourth in the Grade 1 King's Bishop Stakes at Saratoga August 24. He has won five of nine career starts (three straight graded stakes starts) and will be looking to get back to his winning form Saturday. Joel Rosario will be in the saddle from the rail Saturday as Forty Tales is sent off as the 3-1 second choice.

Bold Ruler Handicap 2013 | Remaining Contenders

Big Screen - had two Allowance Optional Claiming scores a second place finish to start 2013 and appeared to be in the best form of his career. In his last four starts he has a pair of seconds including the Jaipur Stake after getting DQed in June and a decent third in the Grade 3 Poker Stakes at Belmont Park July 4. Last time out he won for the first time since January in the Who's To Pay Stakes here September 21 after his worst effort in a while however - a fifth in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Saratoga July 29. He has three wins, three seconds and a third in nine starts this year and has just four wins in 18 career starts. Big Screen departs from post 2 at 4-1 odds Saturday.

Bold Ruler Handicap betting at Belmont Park with OffTrackBetting.com

Politicallycorrect - had a good second in the Grade 3 James Marvin at Saratoga July 17 after a third in the minor Jaipur Stakes June 7, a sixth in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Stakes in May and a nearly six month layoff. Last time out he had his worst performance in quite some time - a ninth in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs August 18. Politicallycorrect has four wins, four seconds and three third place finishes in 18 career starts for trainer Wesley Ward but hasn't tasted victory since the Damascus Stakes November 3. Javier Castellano gets the call from post 4 as Politicallycorrect is sent off at 5-1 odds.

Clearly Now - Canadian Invader has nine career starts - two wins to start his career and two thirds in his next two - one of the thirds coming in Grade 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream January 26 at 42-1 odds and the other in the minor Display Stakes December 1. He has six starts in 2013 and has placed in all - a second last time out in the Grade 3 Gallant Bob at Parx September 21, a second in the minor Charlie Barley Stakes at Woodbine July 6, a decent third in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens June 8, a second in the Grade 3 Bay Shore April 6 and his best result to date - an impressive win in the Grade 3 Swale Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths at Gulfstream March 2. Clearly Now has been in the money every time out and is an intriguing 6-1 on the morning line. He departs from post 5 with Jose Lezcano aboard.

Saturday's Charm - Steve Asmussen trained colt made his graded stakes debut in March and finished an impressive second in the Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap behind Comma to the Top here March 2 after three wins, a second and two third place finishes in eight career starts. He has since placed in three of five starts with the best result coming last time out - a second in the minor Frank J De Francis memorial at Laurel Park September 21. He has a win, three seconds and two third place finishes in eight starts this year and has three wins in 14 career starts. Saturday's Charm is the longest shot in the field at 10-1 odds and will have John Velazquez in the saddle.