Jacobson duo's running styles should pair well in sprint
David Jacobson holds a strong hand in the optional-claiming feature at Aqueduct on Wednesday as he will send out two runners, one of whom is likely to go for the lead and another who is likely to come from off the pace.
The six-furlong race is open to horses who have never won three races “other than,” four races lifetime, or two races in 2015. It also has a $100,000 claiming option. The card also includes a first-level optional race at 1 3/8 miles on turf and a first-level New York-bred allowance at a mile on grass.
Jacobson has entered Fabulous Kid for the $100,000 claiming tag and Heaven’s Runway, who is 1 for 8 this year. Fabulous Kid figures to be part of a hot pace, while Heaven’s Runway should be able to take back. Irad Ortiz Jr. is named on Fabulous Kid. Junior Alvarado will ride Heaven’s Runway.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 7 Fabulous Kid. Trainer David Jacobson is 61-22-8-7 with a $2.47 ROI over the past three years in dirt sprints at Aqueduct with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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With Green Gratto entered, a fast pace is assured. Others in the eight-horse field with early foot include Marriedtothemusic and Bond Vigilante.
Heaven’s Runway will be making his second start for Jacobson Thoroughbreds after being purchased from K.K. and Vilasini Jayaraman. In his debut for Jacobson and his first start in 12 weeks, Heaven’s Runway hooked Green Gratto on the lead in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler. He finished third, beaten four lengths by Matrooh and two lengths ahead of fourth-place Green Gratto.
With that race under his belt, expect Heaven’s Runway to relax off the pace Wednesday, as he has done throughout his career. In his best effort of the season, he rallied from off a fast pace to defeat Bourbon Courage and Fast Anna in the $50,000 Hockessin Stakes at Delaware Park in July.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Heavens Runway. Trainer David Jacobson is 40-13-9-6 with a $2.21 ROI over the past three years in dirt sprints at Aqueduct with Junior Alvarado aboard. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
◗ Race 3, at 1 3/8 miles on turf, has attracted an interesting field that includes Roccia d’Oro, trained by Tom Albertrani, and the Chad Brown pair of Request and Grey Wizard.
Roccia d’Oro began his career in Italy. In his U.S. debut, he finished fourth, beaten six lengths, at the distance of Wednesday’s race in a second-level optional race. Not only will he be dropping in class to a first-level race Wednesday, but the four-length winner of his last start, Mr Maybe, returned to score an easy 4 1/4-length victory in the Grade 3, $250,000 Red Smith Handicap at Aqueduct on Saturday.
Request and Grey Wizard finished second, beaten a nose, and third, beaten a head, by Fire Away last out Oct. 23 at Belmont. Fire Away came back to win a second-level race last Friday.