Family Biz looks strong in starter allowance; carryovers await

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After canceling Thursday’s Aqueduct card due to expected extreme cold conditions, the New York Racing Association is hopeful live racing returns Friday with an eight-race program that will include carryovers in both the pick six and late pick five.

Race 7, a competitive starter allowance for 3-year-olds at one mile, is part of both sequences. There is a $19,376 pick six carryover and a $38,520 carryover in the late pick five, the latter being restricted to those with a NYRA Bets wagering account or those who play ontrack or at an in-state simulcast facility.

Family Biz will likely be on most tickets in either wager after running third in the Jerome Stakes here Jan. 1 when he was stuck on the inside.

“The rail was really, really bad that day and the two days before it,” said Ed Barker, trainer of Family Biz. “He,” Barker added, referring to jockey Dylan Davis, “had no choice. He was stuck in there, couldn’t tip out.”

Prior to his third in the Jerome, Family Biz won a seven-furlong maiden race beating Haikal, who came back to win his maiden next out.

Barker is hopeful that Family Biz runs well enough in this race to be considered for the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes going a mile here March 9.

Stone Breaker will try to carry his speed a mile after winning for maiden $50,000 claiming on the front end. Stone Breaker won by 6 1/4 lengths, covered six furlongs in 1:12.45, and earned a gaudy Beyer Speed Figure of 90 for his New Year’s Day victory.

“He seems like he’s getting better and better,” trainer Gary Gullo said. “I just want to stretch him out to see where I’m at with him. If he can win again, then it’s a real number and you go from there.”

Twelfthofneverland and Durkin’s Call ran one-two in a race similar to this Jan. 6. There were only five runners that day and one, favored Classic Czar, stumbled at the break and unseated his rider, while another, Letsgometz, was pulled up at the quarter pole.

Classic Czar is back in this field. Clench, third in the Heft Stakes after winning for maiden $30,000 claiming, and Captain Frost, a winner for maiden $50,000 claiming, complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Family Biz, by Fed Biz
Last 3 Beyers: 79-80-78

◗ Ran behind Mind Control and Our Braintrust when third as the wise-guy horse in the Jerome Stakes here on New Year’s Day.

◗ Family Biz’s last two races are his best races, and they both came with the addition of Lasix.

Classic Czar, by Tapizar
Last 3 Beyers: NA-65-66

◗ Stumbled and unseated jockey Jose Lezcano when favored in a similar spot as this on Jan. 6.

◗ His lone prior try on a fast track – which he should get Friday – resulted in a seven-length victory for maiden $50,000 claiming at Churchill.

Stone Breaker, by Eskendereya
Beyers: 90-62

◗ Earned an eye-catching speed figure with a dominant front-running victory going six furlongs here New Year’s Day, a race from which third-place finisher Dr. Lloyd came back to win his next start by five.