Pinchin Trainee Wins $500,000 In Reality by 10 Lengths Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Likely Next Start for Son of Gone Astray

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Shade Tree Thoroughbreds’ Three Rules cruised to a 10-length triumph in Saturday’s $500,000 In Reality at Gulfstream Park, sweeping the 2016 Florida Sire Stakes (FSS) series and likely earning a trip to Santa Anita for a start in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) Nov. 5.

“It looks like he did it pretty easy, He truly deserves a shot,” said owner Bert Pilcher following his undefeated 2-year-old colt’s romp in the 1 1/16-mile FSS finale that highlighted a 13-race program with eight stakes worth $1.6 million in purses, along with the $500,000 FSS My Dear Girl for fillies won by Dude Fantasy. “He runs well – always has. It’s always been the goal if he runs the way he ran here today that we’d give it a shot. I’d like a Florida-bred to win the Breeders’ Cup [Juvenile].”

Trainer Jose Pinchin saddled the son of Gone Astray for his fifth straight easy triumph while racing around two turns for the first time. The 1-5 favorite took total command over his 11 rivals from the start and was never threatened while posting fractions of 23.68 (seconds), 48.12, 1:12.79 and 1:37.81 on his way to a 1:44.63 final clocking.

“The horse won easy. I wanted to go easy on the lead and wait until the last quarter to ask him a little bit, but I saw on the TV that I got it, so I decided to save him for the end next time,” Velasquez. “He was very relaxed. He doesn’t need to stay on the lead, but the competition wasn’t too much and he wanted to go easy on the lead. He’s a nice horse.”

Thegreatcollection, ridden by Colby Hernandez, saved ground during a stalking trip to finish second, 8 ¼ lengths ahead of Dont Come Knockin and jockey Miguel Vasquez.

Despite his dominance in the first two FSS legs, Three Rules’ preparation for his seven-length victory in the $200,000 Dr. Fager and his 5 ½-length romp in the $300,000 Affirmed had been somewhat compromised by hoof and fever issues, respectively.

“I knew he was going to do it. He didn’t have a setback or anything,” Pinchin said. “He did everything right.”

Three Rules is the fourth horse to emerge from the FSS series undefeated after sweeping the Dr. Fager, Affirmed and In Reality, joining Smile (1984), Seacliff (1995) and Sir Oscar (2003).

Three Rules, who has won his five races by a combined 31 lengths, lived up to pre-debut hype with a 3 ½-length victory June 10, running five furlongs in 58.54 seconds under a hand ride.

Finishing a never-threatening but strong-closing second behind Three Rules was Gunnevera, who would go on to capture the Saratoga Special (G2) Aug. 14. The Pinchin trainee delivered an even more dominating triumph while returning in the $75,000 Birdonthewire Stakes on the Summit of Speed program July 2, notching a five-length off-the-pace score at 4 ½ furlongs.

He continues his dominance during the tradition-rich FSS series, earnings a likely start in the Juvenile.

“He’s a good horse. He can do just about anything you want. He’s a freak,” said Pinchin, who reported that Three Rules would likely ship to Southern California a week prior to the Juvenile should his owner follow through with his plan.