Dads Caps will get blinkers for Toboggan Stakes

Trying to return him to the form that made him a Grade 1 winner last April, trainer Rudy Rodriguez will equip Dads Caps with blinkers when the 5-year-old takes on Salutos Amigos and four others in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan Stakes at Aqueduct.

Since winning the Grade 1 Carter over the main track last April, Dads Caps has been winless in six starts. He was beaten a neck when second to Private Zone in the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont in September and most recently finished three lengths behind Salutos Amigos when third Dec. 26 in the Gravesend.

“When he won the Carter, he was on the lead, and they didn’t challenge him,” Rodriguez said Wednesday. “When he finished second at Belmont, he looked like he was hanging there. We’re trying something because we know he has the ability.”

Rodriguez said Dads Caps has worked a couple times with blinkers.

“He’s been working very, very good with the blinkers,” Rodriguez said. “He’s ready to go.”

Jose Ortiz was named to ride Dads Caps.

Ortiz’s brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., will ride Salutos Amigos, who has won three of his last four starts, including the Grade 3 Fall Highweight over the main track Nov. 27 and the Gravesend over the inner track.

David Jacobson, trainer and part owner of Salutos Amigos, has expressed an interest in taking Salutos Amigos to Dubai for the Golden Shaheen on March 28 but wants to see how he performs here first.

Others entered in the Toboggan were Mewannarose, second in both the Fall Highweight and Gravesend; Doubledown Again, a sharp allowance winner Dec. 10; Crafty Dreamer, the runner-up in the Hollie Hughes; and Green Gratto, beaten a neck in a second-level allowance last out.