Bold Ruler Stakes (Aqueduct) Predictions, Betting Odds, Picks 2023

Check out our predictions and odds for the Bold Ruler Stakes at Aqueduct!

Odds provided by author Brian Zipse.

Bold Ruler Stakes Predictions and Best Bets

Here are my plays ($60 in total)

• $5 Exacta Box  - High Oak, Cowan, and Stage Left = $30 
• $5 Exacta Box  - High Oak, Cowan, and Durante = $30 

If you're playing only to win, go with my top pick High Oak (4/1).

In a wide open sprinting affair, Durante looks to return to his winning ways when he tops a field of nine older males set for the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Stakes on Friday at Aqueduct.

Trained by David Jacobson, who has two in the 6-furlong race, the 4-year-old rattled off four consecutive easy wins at four different tracks before being narrowly denied last time in the slop.

A son of Distorted Humor, he will be moving up in class on Friday after his sharp form against allowance company.

Chief among his opponents in the $200,000 affair is the Bill Mott-trained High Oak. A graded stakes winner at 2, the son of Gormley only raced once last year.

Although he has yet to win this season, he seems to be rounding into form. He finished third in the Grade 1 Forego two starts back. 

Another horse of interest in the Bold Ruler will be the other Jacobson trainee, Stage Left. A 7-year-old son of Congrats, he has won 11 times in 39 career starts.

He finished third last out in the Lite the Fuse Stakes at Pimlico, but before that, he won two straight, including the Rumson Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Bold Ruler Stakes Predictions and Race Analysis

Let's take a closer look at each horse to provide a comprehensive race analysis for the upcoming Bold Ruler Stakes. 

Durante

Trained by David Jacobson, this son of Durante has really moved forward in his last five starts. Showing off strong early speed, he won four straight in impressive fashion at four different tracks from June through September.

He had his winning streak broken last time, but was very game in defeat in a sloppy allowance race at Aqueduct won by Cowan.

This will be a class test, but as well as he is going, he is an obvious threat. The other speed in the race will, however, make this a difficult spot for him to continue his excellent results of late.

High Oak

Trained by Bill Mott, this son of Gormley was a classy juvenile two years ago. An easy winner of the Grade 2 Saratoga Special, he looked to have a real future. In his only start at 3, however, he fell in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes.

He was off for a full year following that setback and did not look good upon his return. He has been rounding into form of late, however, and ran two very good races up at Saratoga.

Fifth against top competition last out in the Grade 2 Vosburgh, he looks to have a big shot here as there is plenty of speed to set up his late run. He is the top pick.

Stage Left

The other Jacobson runner cannot be discounted in the Bold Ruler. A consistent performer with eleven career wins, he comes in with very solid recent form.

Able to pass horses, he was a nice winner of a Delaware allowance race three starts back, before winning Monmouth Park’s Rumson Stakes.

Third last out in the Lite the Fuse at Pimlico, he should be a factor when the field turns for home here. I will use him in the exotics on Friday.

Cowan

The first of two in the race trained by Ray Ginter, Jr. this 5-year-old has plenty of back class on both turf and dirt. A winner of over $900,000 in his career, he was headed in the wrong direction in the spring of 2022.

Claimed for $62,500 in his final race of last year, he was given plenty of time to heal and has come back running this year.

Twice a winner in three starts this year, he looks to be fully back after running down Durante in a sharp allowance race last time at Aqueduct. One of the few horses in the field who likes to come from off the pace, he has a big shot here.

Provocateur

The other colt in the race trained by Bill Mott, this son of Into Mischief, should add to the expected hot pace on Friday.

A promising two-time stakes winner last year, he finished off 2022 with a pair of disappointing efforts. Since his return this year, he has shown speed but has been unable to stick around late in three starts.

He could improve off a pretty dull effort in the slop behind Cowan and Durante last time in the slop, but I still do not like his chances considering the other speed in the field.

Twisted Ride

A Pennsylvania-bred, this 4-year-old gelding has put together a very nice season with five wins from ten starts in 2023.

Most recently second in the Maryland Million Sprint, he has won three stakes races this year for trainer Michael Moore. He also finished second in the Grade 3 Runhappy in New York back in May.

A consistent stakes sprinter, he has the ability to pass horses, which should help his cause on Friday. He is in with a chance.

Jeff Fa Fa

New to the barn of Rob Atras, this son of Competitive Edge earned his shot in graded stakes racing after four straight wins in Canada.

The first three all came in allowance company at Assiniboia Downs, before moving last time to Century Downs, where he set a track record in winning the Red Diamond Express.

There is no doubt this Canadian-bred has speed, but class will be the question on Friday. With so much other speed in the race, it should be a tough test.

Pirate Rick

This gray 6-year-old was going good over the winter with several straight wins, but could not keep winning when he moved up to stakes company.

A six-race losing streak was snapped two starts back when he ran away from allowance company for the new barn of Ray Ginter, Jr.

Jumping back into stakes company last out, he finished well back in the slop. One of many here with early speed, he is unlikely to stick around when the real running begins.

Five Dreams

Trained by Miguel Rodriguez, this son of CInco Charlie has won only once in ten career starts. He has managed to finish second or third in six others, however.

Based at Parx, his lone victory came in an allowance race there back in March. He has failed to win in five tries since, including his first turf try last out.

He has good tactical speed and is a consistent runner, so he cannot be completely ignored, but he looks to be a cut below the best here.

How to watch the Bold Ruler Stakes

Bold Ruler Stakes Race Information:

• What: Bold Ruler Stakes (Grade 3)
• Location: Aqueduct
• Time: Friday, October 27 -- 4:22 pm Eastern time
• How to Watch: Fox Sports
• Purse: $200,000

Bold Ruler Stakes predictions and best bets are here! See the full race analysis and odds for Aqueduct this Friday! 

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