Wendell Fong points to Saturday's Tom Fool Handicap

Wendell Fong got a little freshening on a farm following his upset victory in the Fire Plug Stakes at Laurel Park on Jan. 16. After returning to Belmont and the worktab, Wendell Fong was deemed ready to go back at it in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap at Aqueduct.

Trainer Natalia Lynch said the Tom Fool was an afterthought until she breezed him a half-mile in 50.40 seconds on Friday at Belmont.

“I let him breeze to see about his fitness and he did it pretty well,” Lynch said. “I was letting him tell me if he wants to [run] or not.”

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Wendell Fong gave Lynch her first career victory as a trainer when he got up in the final strides to nail Share the Ride by a neck in the Fire Plug. That victory looks even better after Share the Ride came back to win the Grade 3 General George on Feb. 20. Share the Ride, who rarely misses a dance, is among those expected for the Tom Fool.

Following the Fire Plug, Lynch sent Wendell Fong to Patty Hogan’s farm in central New Jersey for two weeks of turnout.

“I thought it was a treat for him,” Lynch said. “I think it’s good to let them all go out in the field and just be horses.”

Lynch said Trevor McCarthy will ride Wendell Fong in the Tom Fool.

Others expected for the Tom Fool include Chateau, Happy Farm, My Boy Tate, Pete’s Play Call and Speed Pass. American Power is possible.