Jacobson hopes Stallwalkin' Dude doesn't slide in Toboggan

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – On paper, Monday’s Grade 3, $125,000 Toboggan Stakes at Aqueduct looks very similar to last month’s Gravesend Stakes. Trainer David Jacobson hopes the race looks similar on the track as well when he sends out Gravesend winner Stallwalkin’ Dude as the favorite in the six-furlong Toboggan.

Stallwalkin’ Dude was one of seven horses entered Friday for the Toboggan, which will go as race five on a nine-race Martin Luther King Jr. Day program at the Big A. Stallwalkin’ Dude is coming off a two-length victory in the Gravesend, his 17th victory in 48 starts.

A 7-year-old gelding owned by Jacobson and Sol Kumin’s Head of Plains Partners, Stallwalkin’ Dude has won two of his last three starts. Two starts back, in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap over the main track, Stallwalkin’ Dude was beaten a neck by Heaven’s Runway, who came back to win the Dave’s Friend Stakes at Laurel on Dec. 31.

While Heaven’s Runway will be in the barn Monday, his trainer, Rudy Rodriguez, will send out All Star Red and Story to Tell in the Toboggan. All Star Red finished third in the Gravesend. Story to Tell comes off a 5 1/4-length victory in a starter allowance Dec. 16 for which he earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure.

Rodriguez claimed Story to Tell for $40,000 on Nov. 23, winning a six-way shake to get the horse for himself, Michael Dubb, and Michael Imperio.

“He looks like he can be any kind of horse,” Rodriguez said.

Green Gratto, second in the Gravesend, drew the rail in the Toboggan. Outside of him are All Star Red, Story to Tell, The Great War, Classy Class, Stallwalkin’ Dude, and Life in Shambles.