Stallwalkin' Dude in top form for Fall Highweight Handicap

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Stallwalkin’ Dude was narrowly beaten when second as the 4-5 favorite in last year’s Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap, and he will look to improve on that finish in Thursday’s 104th renewal of the traditional Thanksgiving Day feature at Aqueduct.

Though Stallwalkin’ Dude was also entered in Wednesday night’s $200,000 Fabulous Strike Handicap at Penn National, trainer and part-owner David Jacobson said Monday that Stallwalkin’ Dude would run in the Fall Highweight, also worth $200,000.

“Stallwalkin’ Dude is doing better – not as good as, better – than he’s ever done before,” said Jacobson, who owns the gelding with Head of Plains Partners. “There’s no reason to travel.”

Jacobson also didn’t like that Stallwalkin’ Dude would have had to break from the rail at Penn National. He has post 3 in the Fall Highweight.

As was the case last year, Stallwalkin’ Dude will be the highweight at 134 pounds. Last year, Stallwalkin’ Dude was beaten a neck by Heaven’s Runway , who carried 123 pounds. Stallwalkin’ Dude on Thursday is conceding four to nine pounds to the rest of the field.

Two horses entered in the Fall Highweight are expected to scratch: Schivarelli, who was entered just minutes after Tom Morley claimed him for $50,000 last Saturday, and Seymourdini, who is “80-20” to run in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Dec. 2, according to trainer Linda Rice.

Stallwalkin’ Dude comes off a second-place finish behind Tom’s Ready in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont on Oct. 28. He earned a lifetime-best Beyer Speed Figure of 106 for that performance.

In his youth, Stallwalkin’ Dude had the speed to put himself close to the pace. Jacobson now views the 7-year-old gelding as “a great come-from-behind sprinter.” He figures to get some pace to close into with Green Gratto and Hey Jabber Jaw in the field.

Threefiveindia, beaten three-quarters of a length in the Grade 2 Phoenix, and Ready for Rye, third in last year’s Fall Highweight, head the competition.

First post for Thursday’s nine-race card is 11:50 a.m. Eastern, with the Fall Highweight scheduled for 3:20 p.m.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Stallwalkin’ Dude, by City Place
Last 3 Beyers: 106-104-89

◗ In the Grade 2 True North at Belmont in June, he finished second to Roy H, who won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint earlier this month.

◗ Joel Rosario will ride Stallwalkin’ Dude in the Fall Highweight. Irad Ortiz was scheduled to ride him at Penn National and took a call on Life in Shambles for the Fall Highweight. Joe Bravo was named on Stallwalkin’ Dude but he will be at Fair Grounds on Thursday.

Threefiveindia, by Street Hero
Last 3 Beyers: 94-98-96

◗ Fourth last out, beaten less than a length by Whitmore in the Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland.

◗ Finished second to Stallwalkin’ Dude in the 2016 Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont.

Life in Shambles, by Broken Vow
Last 3 Beyers: 96-63-94

◗ Has run some of his best races over Aqueduct’s main track and gets in light with 126 pounds.