Expected Ruler shocked the bettors by taking Monmouth Park’s Tyro Stakes, paying $96 to win. Photo By Ryan Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
From a Monmouth Park release
Liam F. Benson’s Expected Ruler made his racing debut a memorable one, capturing the $60,000 Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday by an impressive 2 ½ lengths at first asking.
With Wilmer Garcia aboard, Expected Ruler sat near the back of the pack early on in the 5 furlong turf sprint for 2-year-olds. Around the turn, Expected Ruler saved ground and shot through an opening along the inside before drawing clear to the daylight score.
“I was just looking for a good performance,” said winning trainer Liam D. Benson, who earned his first stakes victory as a trainer. “On the backstretch, I wasn’t sure about it. Even turning for home, he wasn’t in a great spot, but he is a tough little horse. He got the job done. ‘Wow’ is really all I can say about it. We are just going to enjoy this for as long as possible.”
Expected Ruler lit up the tote board paying $96.60, $26.60 and $11.60 in the field of 10 colts and geldings after stepping the distance in :56 4/5. Post-time favorite Full Salute completed the $476.20 exacta and paid $4.20 and $3.20. Bravura was another half-length back in third, good for an $8.20 show mutuel.
Bred in Florida by Liam F. Benson, father of the 20-year-old trainer, Expected Ruler is a colt by Leroidesanimaux from the Allen’s Prospect mare Expected Pleasures. Sunday’s victory gave him earnings of $36,000.
