New York Watch: Rule by Night

Rule by Night dominated a maiden race on Saturday to become the second horse featured in the recently introduced New York Watch series, which shines the spotlight on promising colts and fillies that have recently cleared the maiden and allowance ranks at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, or Saratoga Race Course. After finishing runner-up in his debut on December 26 at Aqueduct, Rule by Night looked like a seasoned veteran in his second start. The 3-year-old Malibu Moon colt broke sharply from the rail, shook off an early challenger, and widened easily throughout the stretch to win by 7-1/4 lengths. Sent off as the 6/5 favorite in Aqueducts 4th race, he completed the six furlongs in 1:11.11, defeating eight other 3-year-olds in the process. Toby Sheets, assistant to 2009 Trainer of the Year Steve Asmussen, said they have high hopes for the promising youngster. Hes done nothing wrong since arriving in our barn, Sheets said. He has been training really well, and we were hoping that he would improve off his debut and run the way he did today. Well see how he comes out of the race and then make a decision on his next start. Rule by Night, owned by Gold Square Stable, was a $200,000 purchase at the 2008 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. His sire, Malibu Moon, was brilliantly bred, by A.P. Indy out of a Mr. Prospector mare. And just like Rule by Night, Malibu Moon broke his maiden in his second start, a maiden race at Hollywood Park in 1999. Unfortunately, he was subsequently retired after a knee injury cut short his promising career. However, he has gone on to become a very successful stallion, with seven graded winners in 2009 including Devil May Care, winner of the Grade 1 Frizette, and Funny Moon, winner of the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks.