Big fields assure $159,000 pick six carryover won't be easily hit
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – A challenging sequence awaits horseplayers chasing the two-card, $159,032 pick six carryover Thursday at Aqueduct.
The wager went unhit both Saturday and Sunday in large part due to upset wins by Agua Dolce ($37.40) and Flashy Alex ($40.20) on Saturday and Road to Remember ($60) on Sunday.
Four of the six races in Thursday’s sequence have a minimum of 10 horses, not including a bevy of also-eligibles. Three of the races are scheduled for the turf, and while dry conditions are forecast for Thursday, a 50 percent or higher chance of rain was forecast Monday through Wednesday.
Here’s a look at the sequence, which begins with race 4 (2:12 p.m.).
Race 4: It’s Cold in Dehere has twice won this second-level allowance/optional $62,500 claiming condition on dirt but hasn’t been out since March. While trainer Linda Rice is enjoying a spectacular meet (16 wins, tied for second in standings), she is just 2 for 52 over the last two years with horses returning from a layoff of 180 days or greater.
Conversely, Christophe Clement is 18 percent (36 for 199) over the last two years with horses returning from a layoff of 61 to 180 days, which Tap the Faith is doing in this spot. Tap the Faith has not been out since winning a first-level allowance at Monmouth Park on July 3.
Customerexperience comes into the race with a 5-for-11 record at Aqueduct.
Race 5: There appears to be an inordinate amount of speed for a turf race on this circuit, which could set things up for Wootton Asset, who makes just his second start of the year in this second-level/optional $62,500 claiming event, scheduled for one mile on the inner turf.
Wootton Asset, trained by Graham Motion, was beaten only a half-length while third in this condition last month at Pimlico. He had to alter course after the eventual winner, English Tavern, appeared to come out in front of him in midstretch. A jockey’s objection was disallowed.
The runner-up from that race, Decorated Invader, won an allowance at Woodbine on Sunday. Wootton Asset won last year’s Virginia Derby with Jose Ortiz aboard, and Ortiz rides on Thursday.
It Can Be Done, third to Wootton Asset in that Virginia Derby, makes his first start for trainer Todd Pletcher, who won four races at this meet over the weekend. It Can Be Done is winless in his last 12 starts.
Call Me Harry has won two straight, including a statebred allowance here just 11 days ago.
Race 6: A lot of tickets will rely heavily on D’ont Lose Cruz in this seven-furlong race for New York-bred juveniles.
His trainer, Richard Schosberg, is 5 for 17 the last two years with maidens making their second start, which is what D’ont Lose Cruz is doing after just missing at 27-1 on debut.
Inspector, fourth in that same race with a bit more trouble, is usable, as is the first-time starter Mariachi, whose trainer, John Kimmel, has struck recently with debut winners Starquist ($10.80) and Vacation Dance ($18.60).
Race 7: It would be fitting if a horse partly owned by Steve Crist won a leg of a pick six sequence with a double-carryover, no? Crist is part-owner of Thin White Duke, who won the Lucky Coin Stakes at Saratoga and, prior to that, was beaten a beck by Golden Pal in the Grade 3 Troy. On the downside, he was a bit fractious at the gate when fifth in the Belmont Turf Sprint here on Oct. 1, could be hampered by post 11 in this 12-horse field, and trainer David Donk is 0 for 25 at the meet.
Turn of Events comes off a solid second in a Kentucky Downs allowance from which third-place finisher Cloudy came back to win.
Fauci doesn’t win very often, but he’s usually right there.
Race 8: Chaysenbryn finished a clear second in a similar spot going a mile at Saratoga, a race that produced two next-out winners. The 5-year-old mare is a two-time winner at Aqueduct.
Know It All Audrey, claimed for $16,000 two back, was nearly 10 lengths clear of the rest of the field when second to an odds-on favorite in a statebred allowance here on Oct. 9.
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I’m Nervous Now won her debut for $40,000 at Saratoga and was claimed by Charlton Baker. She gets blinkers for this race, her second start for Baker.
Race 9: A full field of maiden 2-year-old New York-breds going 1 1/16 miles on turf ends the sequence.
Provision, second in each of her three starts, will be favored and is a must-use but hardly a single. Thethrillofvictory and Barry the Builder were in the photo for second with Provision last out and return here.
Itsallcomintogetha, trained by Phil Serpe, is making her third start, but first going long. She is a half-sister to Lady Joan and Goodbye Brockley, both of whom won a maiden race in their third start and ultimately were successful going long.
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