Two preliminary optional claimers for New York-bred 3-year-olds highlight Good Friday at Aqueduct, the penultimate day of racing on the inner track. The long and short of it are race 6, where Taoiseach heads a field of seven at a mile and 70 yards, and race 8, where Championofthenile makes his seasonal debut at six furlongs. Championofthenile was purchased at the Midlantic sale of 2-year-olds in training last May and, at $840,000, was the sale-topping colt. After finishing off the board in his debut on turf, he was switched to dirt by trainer Linda Rice and was never headed en route to a six-length victory, receiving a Beyer Speed Figure of 94 that was the fastest by a 2-year-old at Saratoga last summer. Three weeks later at Belmont Park, Championofthenile ran third in the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes behind Sudden Surprise, who is now a four-time stakes winner, and Get Jets, who then captured the Sleepy Hollow. Championofthenile returned 20 days later as the 3-10 choice in the New York Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes. After taking part in a three-way battle up front, he drew clear between calls in the stretch but was run down by the lightly regarded Dr. Shane in his final start of the year. Championofthenile breaks from the rail with his regular rider, Jose Ortiz, who is on the verge of winning his second straight inner-track title. The main threats are Lucky Lurie, who has won or placed in all four of his starts, and Aragonite, a last-out maiden winner. Three runners in race 6 are in for the $75,000 tag, notably Taoiseach, who won in this condition at odds of nearly 50-1 during the first week of the meet. He continued to outrun his odds by finishing third in the Damon Runyon Stakes at 6-1 and third in the Gander Stakes at 10-1. Owner Gentleman and Holdtherightcards, second and third in a similar spot three weeks ago, are contenders. KEY CONTENDERS Race 8 Championofthenile, by Pioneerofthenile Last 3 Beyers: 63-79-94 ◗ A purposeful series of workouts was capped by a bullet five furlongs. Lucky Lurie, by Girolamo Last 3 Beyers: 71-66-62 ◗ Adds blinkers after three consecutive runner-up finishes. KEY CONTENDERS Race 6 Taoiseach, by Dublin Last 3 Beyers: 77-70-69 ◗ His name has been pronounced TEE-shuck or TIE-shuck, depending on the race-caller. Holdtherightcards, by Tiz Wonderful Last 3 Beyers: 63-75-78 ◗ He is a perfect 2 for 2 when the inner track is fast.