Stallwalkin’ Dude would not be denied under the top impost of 134 pounds in the $200,000 Fall Highweight (G3), rallying boldly to win the Thanksgiving Day feature at Aqueduct by 1 ¾ lengths. The veteran 7-year-old gelding left the starting gate as the even-money favorite among seven rivals and Joel Rosario was up.
A neck second when carrying 124 pounds in last year’s Fall Highweight, Stallwalkin’ Dude registered his ninth career stakes victory, including three this season from 10 starts, when completing 6-furlongs in 1:11.11. He’s now earned $1,688,852 from a 59-20-9-9 record.
Last after turning for home, Stallwalkin’ Dude had to split rivals in midstretch and powered past a pack of rivals along the outside to win going away.
“He broke really well and I just left him where he was happy and he was happy back there,” Rosario said. “It looked like they got away a little from me, but that’s kind of his style. He looks like he wants to be relaxed and then make a run.”
The son of City Place was claimed for $14,000 in September 2014 by trainer David Jacobson, who co-owns the Florida-bred with Head of Plain Partners. Stallwalkin’ Dude is the only stakes winner out of the Dare and Go mare Chelle Spendabuck.
Threefiveindia, the 5-2 second choice, parlayed a stalking trip into a runner-up finish. It was a neck back to Life in Shambles in third. Next came Ready for Rye, Great Stuff, Green Gatto, who established early splits in :22.21 and :45.84, and Hey Jabber Jaw.
Stallwalkin’ Dude was exiting a close second in the October 28 Bold Ruler (G3) and finished third in the Vosburgh (G1) two starts back.
“As far as I am concerned, he is as good, if not better than he has ever been,” Jacobson said. “His last three races were some of his premier performances. Obviously, today he won, so it’s more exciting, even though the last two races were excellent.”
