Stallwalkin' Dude carries lighter load in Gravesend

OZONE PARK, N.Y. –Thanksgiving dinner didn’t taste quite as good for trainer David Jacobson after his 6-year-old gelding Stallwalkin’ Dude got run down in deep stretch earlier that day in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct.

Jacobson took some solace in the fact Stallwalkin’ Dude certainly ran his race, but may have had an excuse in that he carried 134 pounds, 11 more than the winner.

“He was as good and as sharp as he’s ever been,” Jacobson said. “To get beat by a 30-1 shot, I couldn’t come up with anything else.”

Sunday, Stallwalkin’ Dude looks to return to the winner’s circle in the $100,000 Gravesend Stakes, part of an 11-race Aqueduct card which begins at 11:20 a.m. Eastern. Races were added after Thursday’s card was canceled due to high winds and cold. Also, following Sunday’s racing program, Aqueduct is dark until Dec. 29.

Stallwalkin’ Dude will once again be the highweight in the Gravesend. But at 124 pounds, he is spotting two to six pounds to most of his rivals. The one horse he may have to fear is Summer Revolution, a 3-year-old who showed talent winning his first two races and gets in with 115 pounds.

Stallwalkin’ Dude, a five-time stakes winner, could be aided by the fact there seems to be a lot of speed in the Gravesend. There is also rain in the forecast, and Stallwalkin’ Dude is 5 for 11 over wet surfaces.

“I don’t mind if it rains,” Jacobson said.

Rudy Rodriguez, who trained Heaven’s Runway, sends out three rivals at Stallwalkin’ Dude on Sunday: Summer Revolution, All Star Red, and Drama King. Summer Revolution may be the most intriguing.

Summer Revolution won his first two starts, both going seven furlongs. He finished fourth to Drefong in the King’s Bishop and then ninth to Connect in the Pennsylvania Derby when he stretched out to 1 1/8 miles. Both those horses came back to win Grade 1 races.

The Gravesend represents Summer Revolution’s first start at six furlongs. He breaks from the rail under Rajiv Maragh.

“I’m just going to tell Rajiv to let him go out of there and run and take it from there,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he is adding blinkers to All Star Red’s equipment.

“The last few times he didn’t break like he’s supposed to,” Rodriguez said. “Hopefully, the blinkers sharpen him up a little and get him a little closer to the pace than he usually is.”

Rodriguez said if the track is wet Sunday, he may scratch Drama King.

Loki’s Vengeance ended a year-long losing streak with a 7 1/4-length victory in a New York Stallion Stakes race on Nov. 25. He won that race on the lead, but can also stalk.

“I don’t believe he needs the lead,” trainer Mike Hushion said. “If he gets a nice spot stalking he’ll be fine. But, if he breaks like last time … he broke like his tail was on fire.”

Filibustin seeks fourth straight in Fifth Avenue

Filibustin will be the one to catch and beat in the $150,000 Fifth Avenue Division of the New York Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on Sunday.

Filibustin, a daughter of Bustin Stones, has gone 3 for 3 to begin her career, including a three-length victory in the Key Cents Stakes over the main track three weeks ago. She will break from the rail under Jose Lezcano, who comes in from south Florida to ride this filly for the third straight time.

“She came out of the race really, really good,” trainer Greg Sacco said. “She’s been so sharp. As opposed to working her twice before the race, I just worked her once in company last week and she worked dynamite over at Parx. … This being a stallion race, it eliminated half the competition she’s been running against.”

Catcher in the Sky, a debut winner for Linda Rice, and Toni Tools, a winner of two straight since being moved to trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn, headline the competition.

◗ With 11 races Sunday, there will be a late pick five offered on races 7-11.