Don Six comes with excuse

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Trainer-owner Frank Generazio offered a succinct summary of Don Six's last race.

"It was a disaster," Generazio said, referring to the Grade 3, $250,000 Leonard Richards Stakes at Delaware Park.

Sent off at 4-1, Don Six broke awkwardly and never relaxed in the 1 1/16-mile stakes. Don Six wound up seventh, beaten 24 lengths in the worst performance of his career.

"It was back to the drawing board," Generazio said. "It was back to sprinting."

The road back starts Friday afternoon in the Grade 3, $100,000 Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Don Six figures to be a pace factor in the six-furlong race for 3-year-olds. At his best, Don Six can deliver very quick fractions. He set the pace in the Grade 3 Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct and finished second, beaten a length by Halo Homemaker. Don Six ran the opening quarter in the mud in 21.88 seconds and clicked past the half-mile pole in 44.68.

He stretched out for the next race, the Grade 3 Withers Stakes at one mile at Aqueduct. Once again, Don Six set the pace before finishing fourth, only 1 1/4 lengths behind Spite the Devil.

He won a route stakes in his next race, the Floor Show Stakes at Delaware at 1 1/16 miles in the slop. That effort encouraged Generazio to take the shot in the Richards.

"It was very disappointing," Generazio said. "We did get him to go long in the small stakes at Delaware. He only ran one bad race - the last one."

Abdiel Toribio gets the mount on Don Six, a Generazio homebred. Unfortunately, Generazio lost the dam, Concorde's Beauty, who was struck by lightning two weeks ago at a Florida farm.

Don Six should have company on the lead in the Jersey Shore.

Others who prefer to be on or close to the pace are Bishop Court Hill, with leading rider Joe Bravo aboard; Gators N Bears with Chuck Lopez in the irons; Love Sam, ridden by Phil Teator; and Only the Best, with Roberto Alvarado up.

The abundance of speed could set up the race for Mt. Carson, a winner of two straight, including the Hirsch Jacobs Stakes at Pimlico on Preakness Day. Ramon Dominguez will ride for trainer Rodney Jenkins.

Mt. Carson, a stalker, might be well positioned if the speed horses falter.

Midnight Charlie, ridden by Jose Velez Jr., figures to do his best running in the final quarter.