Chateau Set to Defend Title in Tom Fool Handicap

Michael Dubb's Chateau  will look to defend his title March 5 in the Tom Fool Handicap (G3), a six-furlong sprint for older horses at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by Rob Atras, Chateau has not raced since a convincing gate-to-wire score in the six-furlong Gravesend Stakes Dec.19 at the Big A. The 7-year-old Flat Out   gelding was considered for the seven-furlong Toboggan Stakes (G3) Feb. 5 but the conditioner opted to wait for this spot.

The dark bay, who boasts a record of 8-10-10 in 39 starts with purse earnings of $615,019, has breezed extensively over the dirt training track at Belmont Park, including a half-mile in :50.70 Feb. 27.

Atras said he is hoping for a big effort from Chateau, who has proven to be a horse-for-course at the Big A where he owns a record of 12-6-2-3.

"It's been a long wait. Hopefully, it's worth it," Atras said. "His last couple works have been pretty good, so we're hoping for a top effort from him. He can fire fresh and he obviously likes the track here at Aqueduct."

Atras praised the front-running Chateau, who has only finished off-the-board twice in his last 12 starts.

"For a horse that's been in training for so long, at such a high caliber, it's impressive that he's been able to hold his form for this long. He's doing just as good now as he was last year," Atras said. "He always tries hard. He's a little bit one dimensional, but he's fast enough and has enough ability that he always shows up and gets a piece of it."

Kendrick Carmouche retains the mount from post 5 aboard Chateau, who was assigned a co-high weight of 123 pounds.

Vegso Racing Stable's Florida-homebred Officiating  has graduated from maiden to graded stakes winner. 

Previously campaigned by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the 4-year-old Blame   colt joined the Saffie Joseph Jr. stable last summer and has since made six starts at Gulfstream Park, capturing the off-the-turf Bear's Den Stakes at third asking in September.

The versatile bay completed his sophomore season in December with a score over older company in the seven-furlong Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3). Last out, Officiating made his seasonal debut with a distant third in the Fred W. Hooper Stakes Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G3) traveling a one-turn mile.

Out of the Dixie Union mare Come a Callin, Officiating is a half sibling to grade 1 winner Caledonia Road . He will be piloted by Manny Franco, from post 3 touting a co-high weight of 123 pounds.

Three Diamonds Farm's Prime Factor , a lightly raced 4-year-old son of Quality Road  , made a winning debut for trainer Cherie DeVaux last out, scoring gate-to-wire in a six-furlong allowance sprint Jan. 23 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Previously trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, Prime Factor finished third in last year's Holy Bull Stakes (G3) ahead of an off-the-board effort in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), both at Gulfstream Park.

Out of the Bernardini mare Haylie Brae, Prime Factor, an initial $900,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase in 2019, was bought for $185,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. 

Prime Factor, assigned 118 pounds, will emerge from post 4 under Jose Lezcano.

Rounding out the field are Repo Rocks  (post 1, Ruben Silvera, 119 pounds), and Timeless Bounty  (post 2, Trevor McCarthy, 119 pounds).

Entries: Tom Fool H. (G3)

Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday, March 05, 2022, Race 3

• Grade III
• 6f
• Dirt
• $200,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 1:52 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Repo Rocks (VA)	Ruben Silvera	119	Juan C. Vazquez	-
2	Timeless Bounty (MI)	Trevor McCarthy	119	David Wilson, Jr	-
3	Officiating (FL)	Manuel Franco	123	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	-
4	Prime Factor (KY)	Jose Lezcano	118	Cherie DeVaux	-
5	Chateau (KY)	Kendrick Carmouche	123	Rob Atras	-