Stallwalkin' Dude targets Belmont return

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Stallwalkin’ Dude, sixth behind Mind Your Biscuits in the Dubai Golden Shaheen last month at Meydan, has resumed galloping and likely will resurface early in the Belmont Park spring-summer meet, trainer and co-owner David Jacobson said.

Stallwalkin’ Dude could run in the Diablo Stakes – he finished fifth behind Joking in that race last year – on May 7 or wait for the Grade 2, $250,000 True North on June 9.

Jacobson said the rail draw and a twisted right front shoe compromised Stallwalkin’ Dude’s chances in the Golden Shaheen, where he was beaten 5 1/2 lengths.

“We probably lost the race at the draw,” Jacobson said. “He had the 1 post, he got trapped in there, checked twice, blew a shoe, cut a hind leg – very rough trip.”

Jacobson said he would have preferred Stallwalkin’ Dude to have completely lost the shoe rather than run with a twisted shoe.