Candyman E wore down pacesetter Dads Caps in the closing stages and won the $150,000 Toboggan Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 1 at Aqueduct Racetrack for a third consecutive victory (VIDEO).
Ridden by C. C. Lopez, the 7-year-old son of Candy Ride vanquished Dads Caps for a second straight start. The Toboggan was a near replay of the Spooky Mulder Stakes Dec.13 last time out at Aqueduct, in which Candyman E chased front-running Dads Caps from second and edged past late for a three-quarter length win.
After taking command at the start in the Toboggan, Dads Caps maintained a comfortable lead throughout with Candyman E tracking closest of his five opponents. With a 2 1/2-length lead into the stretch, Dads Caps appeared en route victory, but Candyman E dug in the final yards and powerfully surged past when called upon to tally a three-quarter-length triumph.
In making only his second start for trainer David Jacobson, Candyman E covered six furlongs in 1:10.34 as the 2-1 second wagering choice on a fast track and improved his career line to 10-3-3 from 21 career starts.
Non Stop raced evenly in a third-place finish, 2 1/2 lengths behind even-money favorite Dads Caps. Sensational Slam finished fourth, with Praetereo fifth, and Bet the Power completing the order of finish.
Jacobson, who owns Candyman E with Gold Square LLC, claimed the gelding from trainer Michael Mareina for $62,500 after a front-running victory a mid-level optional claiming race at Belmont Park Oct. 26. Candyman E followed up that win in the restricted Spooky Mulder. The Toboggan marked his second win from three starts on Aqueduct's inner track. He finished fourth in the 2012 Toboggan.
Candyman E earned a fourth stakes win but first in a graded stakes. He also won the 2011 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park and the 2012 Bensalem Stakes at Parx Racing. His record includes a third-place finish in the 2013 Commonwealth Stakes (gr. III) on the Polytrack at Keeneland Race Course.
Candyman E, who is out of the Sea of Secrets mare Flo Rose 'n Net and was bred in Kentucky by Nelson Bunker Hunt, paid $7.10, $3.60 and $2.90 while keying a $13.80 exacta with Dads Caps, who returned $3.20 and $2.60. Non Stop paid $5.90.
