Litfin's preview: Nor'easter on the way

The final week of the fall meet begins with the threat of wind and rain, as a slow-moving nor’easter is forecast to move across New York and New England Wednesday and Thursday.

This could be particularly bad news for turf sprinters, as there will be no more opportunities for their specialty on this circuit once the scene shifts to Aqueduct.

PICK SIX CARRYOVER

Upset victories on Sunday by North Slope ($14.40) in the Bowl Game Stakes and Funky Munky Fever ($23.40) in the nightcap helped produce a pick six carryover of $27,597.

The most solid favorites may come in the first and final legs:

In race 4, Wraith has been knocking on the door with three straight runner-up finishes at the same starter-allowance condition, and comes off her fastest race of the season. She is trained by Mitch Friedman.

In race 9, Queen to Be drops into a claimer for the first time after two good finishes in allowance company at Penn National for Todd Pletcher. She projects for a favorable race flow, as there is no shortage of suspect speed in the $20,000 dash for non-winners of three races.

WILL QUEEN’S PRIZE FINALLY GET TO RUN?

Mother Nature has been messing with Her Royal Highness.

Queen’s Prize, bred and owned by Queen Elizabeth II, has already had her scheduled United States debut rained off the turf twice, and been forced to scratch.

Chriistophe Clement tries once again to get Queen’s Prize going in race 7, a $77,000 preliminary allowance slated for 1 1/16 miles on the Widener turf.

Should it come off the grass, a pair of Medaglia d’Oro fillies – Glacken’s Gift and Medaglia d’Argento - would likely vie for favoritism.

HORSES TO WATCH

DAVID ROCKS
Trainer: Bruce Levine
Last race: Oct. 18, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 69

This first-time starter ran into a prohibitive favorite in Tizquick ($2.70), but finished gamely in a promising effort at six furlongs.