News Salutos Amigos Erupts From Last to First to Take G3 Tom Fool at Aqueduct March 13, 2016 News Salutos Amigos Erupts From Last to First to Take G3 Tom Fool at Aqueduct March 13, 2016 By: Jared Welch twitterfacebooklinkedinemail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article OZONE PARK, N.Y. – David Jacobson and Southern Equine Stables’ Salutos Amigos kept his perfect record over the Aqueduct Racetrack’s inner track intact, erupting through the stretch to win his second straight Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap by 2 ½ lengths on Saturday. Breaking towards the back of the 11-horse field with Cornelio Velasquez aboard, Salutos Amigos trailed through the early going as two-time Grade 1 Carter winner Dads Caps led the opening quarter in 22.36 seconds and the half in 44.99. As Dads Caps succumbed to a two-way attack from Mewannarose and Stallwalkin’ Dude at the top of the stretch, Velasquez angled Salutos Amigos well into the clear as the gelding picked up momentum leaving the turn. Salutos Amigos, fully engaged in the middle of the track, unleased a powerful kick, swallowing his rivals throughout the stretch to complete the final quarter-mile in 23.87. “I had the best horse in the race,” said Velasquez. “The only other horse I was worried about was Rudy’s horse [Dads Caps]. I knew I wanted to wait until the quarter-pole before I put my horse in the clear, and when I did, I had a lot of horse.” Salutos Amigos, now 4-for-4 over the Aqueduct inner track, finished the six-furlong sprint in 1:10.17 and returned $4.80 for a $2 win wager. With only one win from nine starts in the 12 months since taking last year’s Tom Fool by four lengths over Dads Caps, the millionaire gelding had experienced one of the worst slumps of his career. Most recently, he posted back-to-back runner-up finishes in Southern California, where he had laid uncharacteristically close to the pace. “Speed is really good at Santa Anita so we were laying a little close and that was the plan,” said Jacobson. “I guess it kind of backfired a little bit, but he did run very well out there. But, taking him back and making that one run that Cornelio does so well, he’s back to the way he used to be.” Always Sunshine rallied for second, 1 ¾ lengths ahead of fellow Jacobson trainee Stallwalkin’ Dude, who was making his first start since December. “With Stallwalkin’ Dude, we wanted to be close but not necessarily on the lead,” Jacobson said. “He ran a pretty good race, too, off the bench. He’ll definitely improve off of this race.” Mewannarose, Nubin Ridge, Spartiatis, Loki’s Vengeance, Angry Moon, Dads Caps, Alex the Terror and Waco completed the order of finish. Source: NYRA
2024 Kentucky Derby Horse Profiles – How Each Horse Can Win | Blinkers Off 662 The Racing Dudes take a look at the contenders of… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 | The Magic Mike Show 542 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
NBA & NHL Playoff Previews & Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 188 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss OJ Simpson, UConn’s national championship… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Top 10 & Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 661 The Racing Dudes reveal their Top 10 Kentucky Derby prospects… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 [Lexington Stakes Day] | The Magic Mike Show 541 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Federico Tesio Stakes 2024 | Laurel Park Picks [Preakness Stakes] Having rediscovered his stakes-winning form in dramatic fashion last month… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Horse Profiles – How Each Horse Can Win | Blinkers Off 662 The Racing Dudes take a look at the contenders of… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 | The Magic Mike Show 542 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Ben Ali Stakes 2024 | Keeneland Picks Spendthrift Farm’s Kingsbarns, winner of the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2)… Read More
Elkhorn Stakes 2024 | Keeneland Picks Bold Act (IRE) and Silver Knott (GB), two overseas invaders… Read More