Stallwalkin' Dude returns sharp from Dubai trip to capture Diablo Stakes
Stallwalkin' Dude's trip to Dubai apparently took little out of him, as he returned to win the $100,000 Diablo Stakes going away after splitting horses in midstretch at Belmont Park on Sunday.
Stallwalkin' Dude had a difficult time in the $2 million Golden Shaheen at Meydan. After breaking a bit slow from post 1 in the 14-horse field, he lost a shoe in the race, according to trainer David Jacbson. He finished sixth, beaten 5 1/2 lengths.
Stallwalkin' Dude had six weeks to recover from that effort prior to the Diablo and turned in a very sharp performance with a little help from his speedy stablemate, Chief Lion.
Green Gratto and Chief Lion hooked up on the lead in the six-furlong Diablo and cut out fractions of 22.43 and 45.38 seconds while being tracked by Still Krz. Stallwalkin' Dude, with Joe Bravo up, lagged back in fifth position early but began to advance nearing the stretch.
Bravo sent Stallwalkin' Dude between Life in Shambles, along the inside, and Green Gratto in upper stretch, and he shot through the hole en route to a 1 3/4-length victory. He paid $5.30 as the favorite in the seven-horse field. He was timed in 1:10.16
" We're very happy and very impressed as we usually are with him," said Jacobson. "Coming back from Dubai, it's only been six weeks, and everyone's been whispering in my ear that 'It's a little bit too soon, is he okay?' I had some butterflies in my stomach, but after the race I guess he's a true warrior."
Noholdingbackbear, who was making his first start for trainer Brian Lynch, rallied from well out in the track to be second, a half-length ahead of third-place Life In Shambles.
Green Gratto finished fourth. Chief Lion tired to finish last.
Stallwalkin' Dude, 7, has now won 18 of 52 starts and $1.35 million Jacobson said Stallwalkin' Dude would be considered for the Grade 2, $250,000 True North at six furlongs on June 9.