Ruler of the Nile seeks second win

There’s a $1 million horse in the entries Sunday at Gulfstream Park.

Ruler of the Nile, who brought seven figures at auction last year at 2, is seeking his second win in the featured ninth race. The firstlevel allowance for 3-yearolds and up carries a $16,000 claiming option. It will be run over 1 1/16 miles.

The field of eight Sunday also includes Asterisk, a full brother to 2011 Florida Derby winner Dialed In; Hookup, a half-brother to Grade 3 winners Gottcha Gold and American Freedom; and Dizzy Gillespie, who owns the field’s best lastrace Beyer Speed Figure, a 91.

There are 12 races Sunday at Gulfstream.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ruler of the Nile, by Pioneerof the Nile Beyers: 55-83

◗ Robert and Lowana Low went to $1 million to purchase Ruler of the Nile at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. auction of 2-year-olds in March 2017. The horse won his debut March 10 for trainer Todd Pletcher, taking a maiden special weight sprint on the front end at Tampa Bay Downs.

◗ Ruler of the Nile has raced once since, finishing seventh in first-level optional claimer at Keeneland. The 1 1/8-mile race was the horse’s first start at two turns and his first on a wet track.

◗ Ruler of the Nile returned to Florida following the April 14 start and has worked regularly at his Palm Beach Downs base, his latest move five-eighths in 1:02.20 on June 8.

◗ Ruler of the Nile, who will break from post 5 under Tyler Gaffalione, could show the way or track Dizzy Gillespie. Dizzy Gillespie will break to his inside and is stretching out around two turns after finishing second in a seveneighths race at Gulfstream that went in a quick 1:21.42.

Asterisk, by Mineshaft Last 3 Beyers: 75-78-67

◗ He’s stretching back out around two turns off a fourthplace finish at this level in a mile race May 26 at Gulfstream. One start prior, Asterisk was a close third against similar in a 1 1/16-mile race May 6 at Gulfstream.

◗ Asterisk has natural speed, and with the move back to two turns could track Dizzy Gillespie and Ruler of the Nile.

Rios back in winner’s circle

Jockey Jesus Rios won his first race since April on Thursday when he guided Flashing Diamond ($6.60) to a 5 1/2-length victory in a $30,000 claiming race for trainer Ruben Gracida. Rios had been sidelined since early April, when he broke his collarbone in a morning training accident, according to officials with Gulfstream. He returned to the saddle June 1.