Toboggan Stakes 2016 at Aqueduct Racetrack

Dave Bond | OTB Writer

Las Vegas, NV - Originally scheduled for January 18th, 2016, the Toboggan has been moved to Saturday, January 30th, 2016.

Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York will be the scene of the Grade 3 Toboggan Stakes on Saturday, January 30. Horses four years old and upward will be featured when they take to Aqueduct's dirt track and dash six furlongs for the winner's share of the $150,000 purse.

A field of six will give it a go in the Toboggan Stakes. Let's take a peek into the past performances of the combatants for this Grade 3 stakes.

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2016 Toboggan Stakes Race Preview

Dads Cap - last year's runner-up in this race (he was also second in the Toboggan in 2014) has just three starts since - a third place finish last time out in the Grade 2 True North Stakes way back on June 5 followed a terrific win over Green Gratto in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap here in April (a race he's won two consecutive years) and a second in the Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap March 7. He has just two wins in the last 20 months but has placed in seven of his last eight starts overall - competitive as they come. Of note he recorded a bullet workout when completing five furlongs in 1:00.07 January 9 at Aqueduct. Jose Ortiz has the mount in Dads Cap's first start in seven months - from the outside post 6.

Green Gratto - has six wins in 37 career starts to go along with six seconds and six third place finishes and enters this week in career best form. Last time out was a win in the minor Gravesend Stakes here December 26 which followed a nice win in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap also on this track November 26. Before that was a second in an Allowance Optional Claiming here November 18, a fourth in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap October 31 and a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming in September. He also had a second in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap on this track in April. Green Gratto has placed in four of his last five starts overall, has won two straight stakes on this track and is definitely peeking ahead of this Monday. Kendrick Carmouche has been tabbed to ride from gate 2.

Alex the Terror - John Toscano trained colt has 16 career starts with four wins, two seconds and four third place finishes but steps into graded stakes company for the first time Monday. He enters off a third place finish in the minor Gravesend Stakes here December 26 after two straight Allowance scored on this track early in the winter. He has placed in six straight races ahead of this Monday - three wins, a second and two third place finishes and looks ready for his step up in competition. Irad Ortiz will be in the saddle from the rail.

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Heaven's Runway - has 32 career starts for trainer David Jacobson with five wins, three seconds and seven third place finishes. He looks for his first graded stakes win Monday off a fourth in the minor Dave's Friend Stakes at Laurel Park December 26 and consecutive third place finishes including the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont Park in October. He also had a win in the minor Hockessin Stakes at Delaware Park in July. Heaven's Runway has placed in five of his last seven starts overall but looks OK ahead of this race. Cornelio Velasquez will be in the reins Monday hoping for a major breakthrough - from gate 4.

Sir Rockport - Tim Ice trained gelding makes his graded stakes debut Monday having posted two wins, a second and three third place finishes in 12 career starts. He enters off a second in an Allowance Optional Claiming December 18, a third in a Starter Allowance at Parx December 1 and a sixth in his only stakes action to date - the minor Frank J. Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park in November. Sir Rockport has been so-so so far in his career but will be looking to make a statement in his step up in competition. Eric Cancel rides from post 3.

Sam Sparkle - David Cannizzo pupil has 43 career starts with six wins, seven seconds and 11 third place finishes. He makes his graded stakes debut Monday after a third place finish last time out in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Aqueduct December 26, a fifth in a similar race on this track December 2, an eighth in the minor Sir Shackleton Stakes in March and an Allowance Optional Claiming score at Gulfstream Park in February. He looks for his first stakes win since the minor Hunch Stakes on this track in December, 2011 from post 5 with Manuel Franco aboard.


2016 Toboggan Stakes Entries & Odds

Race 9 on Aqueduct's Saturday card with a Post Time of 4:20 PM.

Entry Horse Jockey Trainer ML Odds
1 Sam Sparkle Manuel Franco David Cannizzo
20-1
2 Captain Serious Aaron Gryder Michael Hushion
10-1
3 Sassicaia John Bisono Rudy Rodriguez
15-1
4 Dads Caps Jose Ortiz Rudy Rodriguez
5-2
5 Mewannarose Christopher DeCarlo Chris Englehart
20-1
6 Heaven's Runway Cornelio Velasquez David Jacobson
10-1
7 Alex the Terror Irad Ortiz, Jr. John Toscano, Jr.
8-1
8 Sir Rockport Eric Cancel Tim Ice
30-1
9 Fabulous Kid Angel Arroyo David Jacobson
6-1
10 Green Gratto Kendrick Carmouche Gaston Grant
2-1