Jacobson goes to the bench for Gravesend

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – An ankle issue will force David Jacobson to keep his top sprinter Stallwalkin’ Dude in the barn, but the trainer still believes he has a big chance to win Saturday’s $100,000 Gravesend Stakes with either of his two other runners in the six-furlong race.

Stallwalkin’ Dude, 7, won last year’s Gravesend and most recently last month’s Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap. Stallwalkin’ Dude had an “ankle flare up,” Jacobson said, limiting his activity to simply walking the shed.

Thus, Jacobson will go with the uncoupled entry of Chief Lion and Great Stuff in the Gravesend, the co-feature on a nine-race card that also includes the $125,000 Queens County Stakes. Following Saturday’s card, there will be a four-day holiday break before racing resumes Thursday.

Chief Lion is coming off a front-running victory in the $200,000 Fabulous Strike Stakes on Nov. 22 at Penn National. In a Gravesend without much other speed, Chief Lion will likely employ the same front-running tactics under Martin Garcia.

“You’ll see him on the lead,” Jacobson said. “Let’s see how far he can go. That’s his game.”

The other speed in the race is Green Gratto, runner-up to Stallwalkin’ Dude in last year’s Gravesend. But as Jacobson noted, “He has kind of lost a step or two – at least the speed that he has.”

If Chief Lion is pressed by Green Gratto, Great Stuff could come and pick up the pieces. Great Stuff finished fifth, beaten three lengths, in the Fall Highweight, but he had to steady slightly along the rail in midstretch under Rajiv Maragh. Joel Rosario is in town to ride Great Stuff from post 6 on Saturday.

“He was trying to save ground, which was Rajiv’s decision, and he seemed to get in some trouble,” Jacobson said. “I think he’s going to improve off that race. He’s sitting on a big race.”

Other contenders in the eight-horse field are Threefiveindia and Life in Shambles, second and third in the Fall Highweight, and Do Share, a recent allowance winner off a lengthy layoff.

KEY CONTENDERS

Great Stuff, by Quality Road

Last 3 Beyers: 95-98-85

◗ Encountered traffic trouble in the stretch of the Fall Highweight and might fare better with an outside draw Saturday.

Do Share, by Candy Ride

Last 3 Beyers: 96-89-94

◗ Came off five-month layoff with neck victory in high-caliber allowance race here Dec. 14. Though he’s coming back on short rest, trainer Linda Rice won Thursday’s opener with Midnight Disguise, who was coming back in six days off a win.

“I’d like to think he’d move forward off the race,” Rice said. “I didn’t have him overly prepared. He likes the mud, and they’re calling for rain.”

Threefiveindia, by Street Hero

Last 3 Beyers: 99-94-98

◗ He made a brief lead in midstretch of the Fall Highweight.

◗ Usually fires, gets in light, and retains the services of Javier Castellano.

Chief Lion, by Wildcat Heir

Last 3 Beyers: 83-68-47

◗ Light on speed figures, heavy on speed, and looms the one to catch under Garcia.