Aqueduct: Toboggan new race following scratch of Strapping Groom

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Strapping Groom, the 3-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan Stakes at Aqueduct was scatched from the race due to a quarter crack, trainer David Jacobson said.

“I’m just not comfortable with it,” said Jacobson, who on Thursday said that Strapping Groom was not a definite for the race. “I’m not going to do what I did last time and push it.”

Don Tito, one of two horses entered by Rudy Rodriguez, also scratched, reducing the race to a six-horse field.

Strapping Groom had foot issues following his victory in the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga and ran sub-par races in the Vosburgh and Bold Ruler. Last time out, Strapping Groom won the Gravesend Handicap here by 6 1/2 lengths, earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 110.

Jacobson said that he would back off Strapping Groom and hopes to be able to run him in March. The Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap is March 1.

The scratch of Strapping Groom certainly opens the race up from a wagering standpoint. Jacobson will still run Candyman E, winner of the Spooky Mulder Stakes and Praetereo, third in that same race.

“Candyman E is doing the best he’s done since I’ve had him,” Jacobson said.

Six furlongs could be a little short for Praetereo, who will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., who had been named on Strapping Groom.

The speed of the race now could be Dads Caps, who finished second to Candyman E in the Spooky Mulder last out.

C. C. Lopez rides Dads Caps from post 6.

Trainer John Terranova said he entered Bet the Power because, aside from Strapping Groom, he felt the horse fit with the rest of the field.

“He impressed me the day we claimed him; he acts like a nice horse,” Terranova said. “He seems to be in good form so hopefully we can keep it up.”

Non Stop, an 8 1/2-length winner of a starter allowance here on New Year’s Day, and Sensational Slam, who has won a 4-3-1 record from 9 starts over the inner track, complete the field.