Takaful could face pressure

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Grade 1 winner Takaful will be a deserving favorite when he makes his 4-year-old debut in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Toboggan Stakes at Aqueduct, but there are ample reasons to try and beat him.

First, he hasn’t raced in 12 weeks and has had to endure a brutal stretch of weather while training in New York toward his debut. Second, he may be more effective at six furlongs than the Toboggan distance of seven. Third, the speedy Takaful could face a pace challenge from Green Gratto, who is seeking his first win since last year’s Grade 1 Carter Handicap here. Lastly, as the 123-pound co-highweight along with Green Gratto, Takaful is spotting seven to nine pounds to the rest of the field.

Kiaran McLaughlin, trainer Takaful, acknowledges having some concerns about the other speed in the race, but noted “we don’t have to be on the lead. We can sit second.”

Takaful did sit second off of El Deal when he won the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont last Sept. 30. Takaful then ran in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, where he was done early after leading through the first quarter-mile.

McLaughlin said how Takaful breaks under new rider Trevor McCarthy would likely determine whether he would be in front of or sitting just behind Green Gratto, who has the outside post under Chris DeCarlo.

Life in Shambles and Vulcan’s Forge look like the two best closers in the field. Life in Shambles is 0 for 10 in stakes races, but he did run a good second behind Do Share in the Gravesend here over a sloppy track Dec. 23.

Life in Shambles will be ridden by Manny Franco, and at 114 pounds, he gets nine pounds from Takaful and Green Gratto.

“Certainly, the extra eighth of a mile and the weight is going to help us,” said Toby Sheets, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen.

Vulcan’s Forge is coming off a recent high-caliber allowance win going a one-turn mile here Dec. 30 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Summer Revolution and Great Stuff complete the field.

The Toboggan will go as race 3 on a nine-race card that begins at 12:20 p.m.

KEY CONTENDERS

Takaful, by Bernardini Last 3 Beyers: 79-107-101

◗ When returned to sprinting after a futile attempt to jump on the Triple Crown trail last winter, Takaful won a fast allowance at Saratoga and was second to Practical Joke in the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens before his Grade 1 Vosburgh victory.

◗ Despite some bad weather here early in the month, he has gotten in some useful works, so fitness shouldn’t be an issue.

Life in Shambles, by Broken Vow Last 3 Beyers: 94-98-96

◗ Looked like a winner in deep stretch of the Gravesend only to be run down by Do Share late. That race was in the slop, and he seems to fare better on a fast track.

◗ Finished fourth, beaten one length by Green Gratto, in this race last year.

Vulcan’s Forge, by Giant’s Causeway Last 3 Beyers: 98-92-97

◗ Exits a sharp allowance win Dec. 30 from which third-place finisher Back side of the moon came back to win last weekend’s Jazil Stakes.