Aqueduct: Strapping Groom takes on the big boys in Carter

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After winning two sprints here this winter, Strapping Groom will now brace for some tougher company when he meets the likes of Sahara Sky and Central Banker in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct.

Strapping Groom, the winner of last year’s Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga, won the Gravesend by 6 1/2 lengths on Dec. 21 and, after some time off to deal with foot issues, won the Grade 3 Tom Fool, running down Dads Caps inside the final furlong. Dads Caps is among the horses entered in the Carter.

David Jacobson, the trainer and part-owner of Strapping Groom, expressed confidence that Strapping Groom will be up to the challenge against Sahara Sky, the winner of last year’s Grade 1 Met Mile and last month’s Grade 2 San Carlos at Santa Anita, and Central Banker, the runner-up in the Grade 1 Malibu on Dec. 26.

“I wouldn’t want to run against him,” Jacobson said of Strapping Groom.

Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride Strapping Groom from post 5.

Sahara Sky will break from post 6 under Corey Nakatani, while Central Banker breaks from the rail under John Velazquez.

Others entered include Clearly Now, Golden Ticket, and Saturday’s Charm.