'Salutos,' Dads Caps Clash Again in Tom Fool
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You can’t say the connections of Dads Caps aren’t stubborn, or at least determined to try to finally beat their nemesis Salutos Amigos, as the pair square off for the third straight time in the $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap (gr. III), run at six furlongs at Aqueduct Racetrack.
After two straight defeats to Salutos Amigos, in the Gravesend and Toboggan (gr. III) stakes, the Vincent Scuderi-owned Dads Caps will try his rival once again with the hope that the two-pound difference from the Toboggan will make a difference, as well as the second race blinkers on angle.
Dads Caps, who will be saddled by Gustavo Rodriguez, brother of suspended trainer Rudy Rodriguez, has been a gem of consistency, but hasn’t won since his surprise score in last April’s Carter Handicap (gr. I). Meanwhile Salutos Amigos, trained and co-owned by David Jacobson, with Southern Equine Stable, has won three consecutive stakes, beginning with last November’s Fall Highweight Handicap (gr. III).
In the Tom Fool, Salutos Amigos will carry topweight of 125 pounds, a two-pound jump from the Toboggan, while Dads Caps remains at 123.
Dads Caps, who tried to steal the Toboggan by blasting to the lead and going a dizzying half in :45 1/5, only to blow a four-length lead at the eighth pole to the late-charging Salutos Amigos, may try to revert to his stalking style behind the speedy Green Gratto, who was fourth, beaten 5 1/4 lengths, in the Gravesend in his last stakes appearance.
Jose Ortiz will again be aboard Dads Caps, while Salutos Amigos will be reunited with Cornelio Velasquez, who was aboard the son of Salute the Sarge for his victories in the Fall Highweight and last October’s Bold Ruler Handicap (gr. III).
The remainder of the field is made up of the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Maleeh, winner of last year’s Fred ‘Cappy’ Capossela Stakes who has a good closing kick, the hard-knocking New York-bred West Hills Giant, last-out allowance winner Sonny Inspired and stablemate Elevated.
Salutos Amigos will be conceding from two to 13 pounds to his six opponents.
Tom Fool H. (gr. III)
Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday, March 07, 2015, Race 4
- 6f
- Inner track
- $200,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 2:20 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Weight | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevated (PA) | Angel Cruz | 112 | Phil Schoenthal |
| 1A | Sonny Inspired (MD) | Sheldon Russell | 114 | Phil Schoenthal |
| 2 | West Hills Giant (NY) | Manuel Franco | 115 | John P. Terranova, II |
| 3 | Dads Caps (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | 123 | Gustavo Rodriguez |
| 4 | Green Gratto (NJ) | Fernando Jara | 115 | David J. Smith |
| 5 | Salutos Amigos (KY) | Cornelio H. Velasquez | 125 | David Jacobson |
| 6 | Maleeh (VA) | Junior Alvarado | 114 | Kiaran P. McLaughlin |