Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Skyler’s Scramjet back in form
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Skyler’s Scramjet was in career-best form when he came into last year’s Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap, a six-furlong race he won by 1 1/2 lengths to cap a threerace winning streak.
While he hasn’t won since, it’s not a reach to suggest that Skyler’s Scramjet enters Saturday’s 44th renewal of the $200,000 Tom Fool very much in similar form to a year ago.
Since returning from a sixmonth layoff, Skyler’s Scramjet has finished second in both the Gravesend and the Grade 3 Toboggan. In the Gravesend, he was beaten a head by Recruiting Ready, who came back to win last Saturday’s Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint. The Gravesend was Skyler’s Scramjet’s lone loss in five tries at six furlongs over Aqueduct’s main track.
In the Toboggan, at seven furlongs, Skyler’s Scramjet was beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Solid Wager, to whom he was conceding six pounds.
Freshened for seven weeks, Skyler’s Scramjet has been training like a horse ready to break his five-race losing streak.
“I’m feeling very confident with Skyler; he’s doing great,” trainer Michelle Nevin said. “I think a little bit of time has done him a world of good. Freshening him back up, he’s really coming into this the right way.”
Skyler’s Scramjet will be conceding two to seven pounds to his six rivals, including seven to Syndergaard, who is coming off two tough beats to the Nevin-trained Honor Up in two New York-bred stakes.
The 5-year-old Syndergaard has reeled off three consecutive top-level performances, reminiscent of his 2-year-old campaign when he won a New York-bred stakes and was beaten a nose in the Grade 1 Champagne.
“Right now he’s been breaking the barn down,” said Syndergaard’s trainer, John Terranova. “I’m really happy with the way he’s doing. He’s finally come back to his old self and I think there’s more to go forward there for sure.”
Bavaro, claimed two starts back for $25,000 by trainer Linda Rice, is coming back just three weeks after an impressive off-the-pace victory in the Hollie Hughes Stakes.
Do Share, a former Rice trainee now in Mike Maker’s barn, won the 2017 Gravesend and finished second in last year’s Tom Fool. He is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 General George at Laurel.
Completing the lineup are Life in Shambles, who won the Grade 3 Fall Highweight, Bon Raison, and Fully Vested.
Stan the Man ready for Stymie
It took Stan the Man 10 tries to win his first race. But since he won that maiden race here last March 30, he’s been tough to beat, having won five of his last seven starts.
Stan the Man will seek his first stakes victory Saturday when he faces seven opponents in the $150,000 Stymie Stakes going a one-turn mile.
In his most recent start, Stan the Man beat Toboggan Stakes winner Solid Wager in a highclass allowance race here on Feb. 7, earning a career-best 102 Beyer Speed Figure.
“As long as he’s not regressing, his best races so far will be competitive against this group,” trainer John Terranova said.
Though Stan the Man’s last two victories have come in front-running fashion, Terranova points to his allowance win last November as proof that Stan the Man can be successful sitting off horses if need be. California Night looks like the other speed in this field.
“However it sets up, I just hope he gets a smooth trip,” said Terranova, who has Dylan Davis to ride from post 4.
The Stymie marks the return to the races of Vino Rosso, who won last year’s Grade 2 Wood Memorial here for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Vino Rosso, 2 for 2 at Aqueduct, has not run since finishing fifth in the Travers last Aug. 25.
Sunny Ridge won the 2017 Stymie Stakes. In his last out, Sunny Ridge finished second behind the streaking Mr. Buff in the Jazil Stakes. In last November’s Grade 1 Cigar Mile, Sunny Ridge finish third, while Stan the Man was fifth.
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who is running Instagrand as the likely favorite in the Gotham, shipped in Shivermetimbers – a threetime winner at a mile – for the Stymie.
Curlin’s Honor, Title Ready, and Hero’s Welcome complete the field.