Inner track opens with carryover

JAMAICA, N.Y. - The temperature may indicate otherwise, but a sure sign that winter is on the horizon is the opening of Aqueduct's inner dirt track, which begins its 3 1/2-month run on Wednesday.

The one-mile oval is the smallest of the New York Racing Association's four dirt racing tracks. Yet, at 1,175 feet, the inner track's stretch is the longest of the NYRA dirt tracks. Still, with its tighter turns, a premium is placed on horses with tactical speed and inside post positions.

With temperatures expected in the 60's for mid-week, turf racing will continue for a few more days.

Adding some spice to the opening of the inner track is a pick six carryover of $45,096. The trainer largely responsible for the carryover, Richard Dutrow Jr., may hold the hopes of many players who are alive entering Wednesday's eighth race, the final leg of the pick-six.

On Sunday, Dutrow sent out Qualcom to victory at 29-1. In Wednesday's feature, he will send out Late Carson, who figures to be a much shorter price in a classified allowance race at six furlongs. Dutrow also entered Spectacularspencer, but said Monday that only Late Carson would run. Edgar Prado was named on both so one must scratch.

Late Carson has won the last four allowance races in which he has run, dating back to Oct. 7, 2000. He also ran respectably in the 2000 Fall Highweight Handicap, finishing fifth, beaten only 3 1/2 lengths.

His worst performance in the last year was his most recent outing when he finished last in the Grade 3 Sport Page Handicap at Belmont on Breeders' Cup Day.

"In the paddock he was completely dead,' said Dutrow, whose 42 wins the last two inner track meets are third best behind Juan Serey (54) and Gary Contessa (44). "We had to ship him over there the day before the race and he spent the night in the receiving barn. He came into the paddock with his head down.'

With two bullet workouts since the Sport Page, Late Carson appears to be training as well as ever, and Dutrow expects a big effort from him as the potential main speed of the race. He has to carry 123 pounds, spotting his four rivals up to six pounds.

Loaded Gun had not won this year, but does have a 1-2-0 record over the inner track. Trounce, trained by Anthony Dutrow Jr., ships in after winning a restricted stakes at Delaware Park. Maryland shipper I Will If You Will has won three of his last four.

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