Runninsonofagun on target for Tom Fool Handicap
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Runninsonofagun, winner of the Grade 3 Bold Ruler as a 3-year-old last fall, is set to make his 4-year-old debut in next Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap at Aqueduct.
Runninsonofagun completed preparations for the Tom Fool by working five furlongs in 1:01.53 on Friday morning over the Belmont Park training track. It was his sixth work since resuming training in January.
Trainer John Toscano Jr. claimed Runninsonofagun for $40,000 on Dec. 31, 2021. In 10 starts last year, Runninsonofagun posted a record of 3-2-4 and earned $376,050. He placed in several stakes, including a second, albeit beaten 23 lengths by Charge It, in the Grade 3 Dwyer at Belmont Park. He finished third to Gunite in the Grade 2 Amsterdam and third to Jack Christopher in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens, both at Saratoga.
After beating Eastern Bay a nose in the Bold Ruler, Runninsonofagun lost by a neck to Greeley and Ben in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight. Following that, Toscano gave Runninsonofagun a month off.
“We started him back in December,” Toscano said. “He’s maintained his fitness. He’s very light on his feet.”
Others mentioned for the Tom Fool include Drafted, Little Vic, Nova Rags, and Pirate Rick. Eastern Bay, who on Feb. 18 won the Grade 3 General George off a 112-day layoff, is possible.
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