Ruler On Ice, other Clark hopefuls take a spin under the Twin Spires

Belmont Stakes hero Ruler On Ice has joined the roster

of horses who will compete in the 137th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Clark

Handicap on November 25 at Churchill

Downs.

The Roman Ruler gelding breezed five furlongs on Friday in :48 3/5 for trainer Kelly

Breen over the fast main track at Churchill Downs in preparation for the 1

1/8-mile contest. It was his first

breeze since the Classic and his only major training move prior to the Clark.

Starting two lengths behind stablemate Nacho Friend, who was clocked in :59, and finishing even with

his workmate at the wire, Ruler On Ice recorded

fractions of :24 3/5 and :36 3/5 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:02. The

four-furlong time was the 12th fastest of 47 at the distance.

"It was excellent," Breen said. "It was a textbook work and he seems to

really like this track."

George and Lori Hall's chestnut runner will be entered in the Clark off a third-place finish

behind Drosselmeyer and Game On Dude in the Breeders' Cup Classic

at on November 5 under the Twin Spires. It was the first start against older horses

for the sophomore.

Breen said Ruler On Ice came out of his Classic run in great condition, and

the gelding's well-being and the uncertain nature of this year's Eclipse Awards

races were the major factors in the decision to run in the Clark.

"We're thinking that if he wins this race then he is in the running for

champion three-year-old," Breen said. "That would give us two Grade 1 wins and he

would be beating older horses (in the Clark)."

Other horses working at Churchill Downs on Friday morning included Clark

Handicap candidates General Quarters and Equestrio.

Tom McCarthy's General Quarters, a dual Grade 1 scorer with more than $1.2

million in earnings, turned five furlongs in 1:01 4/5.

He covered the distance in fractional splits of :12 3/5, :25 and :37 1/5 while

galloping

out six furlongs in 1:15 2/5. The five-year-old son of Sky Mesa posted the 11th fastest

move of 41 at the

distance.