Roman Ruler to Rule?

- Roman Ruler (Fusaichi Pegasus) was only a neck short (behind Declan Moon) of perfect going into the BC Juvenile, and he's been off since his troubled 5th, having had a testy testicle removed since that effort. But he's back on track and working well for Bob Baffert, most recently 6f from the gate in 1:11:4. Roman Ruler is a half brother to El Corredor (Mr. Greeley), who we mentioned the other day in conjunction with the OBS-Calder 2 year old sale today. Interestingly Roman Ruler is inbred 2x4 to Mr. Prospector, while El Corredor is inbred 3x4 to Mr. P. Roman Ruler is prepping to make his 3 yo debut in Sunday's San Vicente Stakes at 7 furlongs.

Also prepping for the San Vicente is Wayne Lukas' Consolidator (Storm Cat), who is also making his first start since the Juvenile, in which he finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of Roman Ruler in 4th. Consolidator continued a string of strong works with 5f in :58.6, and TDN quotes the Santa Anita clocker as saying "Consolidator looked fantastic." We quoted Lukas recently as saying that this horse was "the one," but I wonder if he still feels that way after Going Wild's successful stretch out in the Sham. By the way, the Bloodhorse published an article last week before the Sham, which was his first race beyond 7 furlongs, touting Going Wild's distance pedigree, great job! Check it out here. The story is credited to "Blood-Horse staff," so I'm sure they're all taking turns patting each other on the back.

- Trainer Bill White hasn't lost faith in High Fly after his awful wide trip in the Holy Bull, nor should he. Closing Argument to Dubai? Defer to go on. [Daily Racing Form]

- Gary Boulanger getting better. But in California, jockey Ron Warren faces more surgery on his severely fractured leg. Ouch. Tough game. Be nice to these guys, OK?