Rule (foaled January 13, 2007) is an American thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the 2012 Monmouth Cup Stakes.
[1] Rule was sired by Roman Ruler and his dam was Rockcide, a daughter of Personal Flag and Belle's Good Cide.
[3] His fourth start and second win came on November 6 with the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs, where he set a track record for a mile (1:37.45) and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 97.
Pletcher had initially expected to enter Eskendereya alongside Rule in the Derby, but his owner had announced four days prior that he would not be racing.
[6]Despite being favorite, Run was unsuccessful in winning the race, being beaten by 1 1/4 lengths by Ice Box and Pleasant Prince.
Reflecting on the loss, Pletcher later said that "John Velazquez thought he did a little bit too much, too early with him and was closer to the pace than he needed to be and that may have compromised his finish in the Florida Derby".
[1] In October 2011, Rule entered the Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (then a Grade II), where he finished in seventh place.
He faced considerable opposition within the race, going against five older horses including 2011 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Flat Out.
On the race, jockey Joe Bravo said "I don't care how long the layoff, this horse was ready to go the minute the gates opened.
[2] On August 4, Rule entered the Whitney Invitational Handicap and received his worst career finish of ninth place.
The race was won by Hymn Book, with Rule coming in third place behind Small Town Talk.