Stallwalkin' Dude prevails in three-horse photo in Tale of the Cat
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - David Jacobson is running the best sprinter in his barn in next Saturday’s Grade 1 Forego Handicap. Or is he?
With Salutos Amigos in the barn awaiting the Forego, the Jacobson owned and trained Stallwalkin’ Dude put in an extremely game performance outfinishing the favored Fast Anna and Scarly Charly to win Sunday’s $100,000 Tale of the Cat Stakes by a nose at Saratoga.
Scarly Charly, one of many horses that were jostled at the start, won a head decision over the favored Fast Anna for second. Fast Anna finished two lengths ahead of Weekend Hideaway, who was followed, in order by Catron, A.P. Indian, and Loki’s Vengeance.
Stallwalkin’ Dude, claimed for $16,000 by Jacobson in September 2014, won for the sixth time in 13 starts this year and 12th in 32 career starts. Since Jacobson claimed him, Stallwalkin’ Dude is 8 for 17 with earnings of $488,150.
Stallwalkin’ Dude was fortunate to be drawn on the outside in the Tale of the Cat. At the break, Fast Anna veered out while Scarly Charly broke inward, affecting Catron, A.P. Indian, and Weekend Hideaway.
Stallwalkin’ Dude was on top for a few strides, but Fast Anna, under Channing Hill, quickly assumed the lead running a quarter in 22.41 seconds.
Scarly Charly moved into second with Stallwalkin’ Dude pressing the pace three wide through a half-mile in 45.08
Turning for home, Weekend Hideaway joined the fray along the rail inside of Fast Anna and Stallwalkin’ Dude. Fast Anna and Scarly Charly fought hard through the stretch, but Stallwalkin’ Dude, unimpeded throughout, was able to run them both down.
Scarly Charly, under Jose Ortiz, won the bob for second over Fast Anna.
Stallwalkin’ Dude covered six furlongs in 1:09.06 and returned $8.40 as the third choice.
“Pretty much this horse will do anything,” Jacobson said. “He’ll break on top, he’ll come from behind. I told Irad ‘We’re on the outside, take a good look and the rest is up to you.’ ”
Ortiz is making all the right decisions at the meet, so he just let Stallwalkin’ Dude place himself after breaking sharply.
“He break very sharp. I don’t think he was going to break that sharp. I leave him there,” said Ortiz, who won three races on the card and is leading the meet with 43 victories. “I don’t take him back. I put my hands down and let him get relaxed. We went a little quick, he was right there and when I asked him turning for home he give me that kick and he fought.”
The speedy Fast Anna also fought under Hill, who believes the horse is showing some signs of relaxing while racing on the lead.
“He settled really nice today, took a couple of nice, deep breaths for me,” Hill said. “I was real pleased at the top of the lane. I don’t think he saw the horse outside of him. Even leaving the eighth pole he was surging. I thought I would get the bob. That horse put his head in front outside of us and he battled back.”
Jacobson isn’t sure where Stallwalkin’ Dude will run next, but didn’t discount giving him a try in the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont on Sept. 26. Unless, of course, he feels Salutos Amigos is a better fit for that race.
“I don’t think I ever want to have them run against each other,” Jacobson said. “I wouldn’t want to find out who would win.”