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Skyler's Scramjet looking to defend title in G3 Tom Fool

by Najja Thompson

SJB Stable and Marcello Micozzi's graded stakes winner Skyler's Scramjet will look to repeat as the headliner of a seven-horse field in the Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool for 4-year-olds and up going six furlongs on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The Tom Fool will be one of four stakes races on an action-packed card featuring the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham for 3-year-olds, a key prep race on New York's "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series, in addition to the $250,000 Busher Invitational for 3-year-old fillies and the $150,000 Stymie 4-year-olds and up.

FOX Sports Saturday at the Races will have live coverage on FS2 from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

A 5-year-old gelding and son of Creative Cause, Skyler's Scramjet won last year's Tom Fool before earning a pair of second-place finishes in the Runhappy on May 12 at Belmont Park and the Gravesend at the Big A on December 23 in his 2018 campaign finale.

Returning to finish a valiant second in the Grade 3 Toboggan on January 19, trainer Michelle Nevin said she is looking for Skyler's Scramjet to rebound in the Tom Fool at the Big A, where he has four wins from eight starts.

"He's been training very well coming out of the Toboggan," said trainer Michelle Nevin. "Although he went to the lead in that race, I don't think he necessarily has to be up front. He's also been effective coming from off the pace so we'll take a look at the field and where we draw before coming up with a game plan. We certainly know he likes the track and the distance, so we're looking forward to Saturday."

With Dylan Davis aboard, Skyler's Scramjet will depart from post 3.

Set to make his first graded stakes start since finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile is Syndergaard, for owners Eric Fein, Christopher McKenna, Harris Fein, Guri Singh and Jerry Walia.

Transferred to the barn of trainer John Terranova following his 3-year-old campaign, the now 5-year-old son of Majesticperfection has made four starts for Terranova, with one win from three starts in 2018 and a pair of second-place finishes at Aqueduct this year in the Say Florida Sandy and Haynesfield, losing both races by less than one length.

"He's been ultra-sharp as of late and he's been knocking right on the door," said Terranova. "I think we've finally figured him out and he's turned a corner. He's pretty effective going between six furlongs a mile and we also thought about entering for the [$150,000] Stymie, but looking at both races we figured we'll take a shot here and hope we draw well and be on the right side of the finish this time."

Syndergaard will leave from post 4 with Hall of Famer John Velazquez in the irons.

Aqueduct winter meet-leading trainer Linda Rice will saddle Bavaro for All In The Family Racing.

The 5-year-old New York-bred son of Freud has six wins from nine career starts at the distance and an impressive four victories from nine starts at the Big A.

Claimed by Rice after winning his 2019 debut on January 11, Bavaro won the Hollie Hughes in his first start for his new connections and will make his graded stakes debut in the Tom Fool.

Drawing post 5, Bavaro will be ridden by Junior Alvarado.

Rounding out the field is Do Share, for trainer Mike Maker and owners Three Diamonds Farm; Fully Vested, for trainer Tom Albertrani and Godolphin Racing; Life in Shambles, for trainer Jason Servis and M and A Racing LTD; and Bon Raison, for trainer Carlos Martin and Empire State Thoroughbreds.