Mind Control battles to win in Toboggan Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - One thing John Velazquez has learned about Mind Control over the years is to try not to make the lead too early because he has a tendency to wait on other horses. So when Mind Control took over from Still Having Fun just before the eighth pole, what Velazquez thought would be an easy task was about to become that much more difficult.

“I was not comfortable with him getting to the lead too early because I know what he can do,” Velazquez said.

Velazquez also knows that Mind Control likes to fight. And fight he did. After wresting the lead away Still Having Fun, Mind Control was able to outfinish Nicodemus and Sunny Ridge and win Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan Stakes by a nose. Nicodemus got second by a nose over Sunny Ridge in the snow at Aqueduct.

Though the two-time Grade 1 winner Mind Control was even-money in this field, what made the victory impressive was the fact he hadn’t run since winning the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens, 147 days ago at Saratoga.

“If we did our job we expected Mind Control to win today,” said Gregg Sacco, Mind Control’s trainer. “Yeah, he’s coming off the layoff, but he was ready to run today. He ran to his training. He showed the true guts and determination that he shows in all of his races. I just wish he wouldn’t wait on horses.”

After two scratches, Mind Control broke from the outside post in the seven-horse field. Velazquez had Mind Control right off of surprising pacesetter Still Having Fun through a quarter in 23.64 seconds. Mind Control and Still Having Fun were together through a half-mile in 46.76 and six furlongs in 1:11.40.

Inside the eighth pole, as Still Having Fun started to yield, Mind Control had the lead. Velazquez could feel Mind Control waiting and other horses coming. Velazquez went right-handed three times, and left-handed once. When Velazquez hit Mind Control left-handed, he came out a path or so, somewhat squeezing American Anthem. But Mind Control engaged a four-wide rallying Nicodemus and a five-wide rallying Sunny Ridge and was able to fend them off.

“I hit him left-handed and he responded right away,” Velazquez said. “If I get to the lead a little too early I know he waits. I’m trying to ride him where he doesn’t get surprised at the same time he can fight with the other horses.”

The stewards posted the inquiry sign but decided Mind Control’s coming out on American Anthem did not affect the outcome of the race. American Anthem finished fourth, followed by Still Having Fun, T Loves a Fight, and Bon Raison. Arch Cat and The Sicarri scratched.

Mind Control, a son of Stay Thirsty owned by Stephen Brunetti’s Red Oak Stable and Sol Kumin’s Madaket Stables, covered the seven furlongs in 1:24.23 over a track labeled fast. He returned $4.30 as the favorite.

“The word I used last year to describe him still stands today: he’s genuine,” Sacco said. “He’s a genuine horse. I’m really happy that he came back the way he did.”

Mind Control’s victory capped a successful 24 hours for Sacco, who on Friday won an allowance race with Joevia in the horse’s first start since running third in last year’s Belmont Stakes.

Sacco said that Mind Control could very well wait for the Grade 1 Carter here on April 4, while Joevia will be pointed to the $125,000 Stymie Stakes going a mile here on March 7.

A Freud of Mama takes Franklin Square

A Freud of Mama made it 2 for 2 on dirt by rallying three wide under Jorge Vargas Jr. to win the $100,000 Franklin Square Stakes by six lengths over Big Q. Favored Fierce Lady finished fourth in her first start since September.

A Freud of Mama was coming off a victory in the slop in the $500,000 Fifth Avenue division of the New York Stallion Stakes at 23-1 on Dec. 15.

Though it snowed throughout the card at Aqueduct, the main track was fast Saturday.

A Freud of Mama took advantage of a pace battle between Fierce Lady and Big Q, who were a half-length apart through a half-mile in 46.52 seconds. A Freud of Mama was sitting a close third, and rallied outside of those two to take command at the three-sixteenths pole.

“At the half-mile pole I was so happy where I was,” Vargas said. “She was on the bridle, taking me places. When we got a seam she just went for it. She’s loving the dirt. I think she’s going forward. I’m hoping for good things from her in the future.”

A Freud of Mama, a daughter of Freud owned by William Butler and trained by Mike Maker, covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:19.15 and returned $12 to win.

Big Q was second by 2 1/4 lengths over Firenze Freedom. Fierce Lady, Playtone and Violent Point completed the order of finish.

Myawaya and Ancient Brown were scratched to run in an allowance race on Monday.