One day later, Aqueduct dangles $148,147 pick six carryover
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Pick six carryover, take 2.
After Thursday’s card at Aqueduct was canceled due to snow, New York Racing Association officials were hopeful of conducting live racing on Friday, when there will be a pick six carryover of $148,147 beginning with race 3 (2:18 p.m. Eastern).
Aqueduct’s inner track was a sea of slop Wednesda,y and the forecast of 4 to 7 inches of snow Thursday prompted the cancellation of that card. There will almost certainly be plenty of moisture in the track Friday, so handicapping for a wet surface.
Here’s the sequence:
Race 3: Big name trainers such as Kiaran McLaughlin, Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown are represented in this maiden race for fillies and mares going a mile. Prefer the McLaughlin-trained Dickinson (2), who drops back in with maidens after chasing the graded stakes winner Paulassilverlining in Ruthless Stakes. Also, Dickinson stretches out in distance first time and her mother was a multiple route winner over the inner rack. Rock Me Again (4) did not impress losing her debut at Parx, but have to respect the Pletcher barn. The Road Not Taken (5) showed some late interest when third in sprint debut at Gulfstream on Dec. 28. However, runners from that race are a combined 0 for 11.
Race 4: Grand Strand (2) looms a likely single for many as he was 5 1/4 lengths clear of four of these when beaten a neck by repeating winner Maximus Mike at this level on Feb. 12. Might give Born in Brooklyn (5) another chance because he was beaten only six lengths in his first start in nearly seven weeks.
Race 5: Sebonack (4) disappointed finishing fourth as the odds-on favorite in his sprint debut on Feb. 14. The son of Super Saver stretches out for his second start and did outwork Gotham candidate Dontbetwithbruno in Feb. 27 drill. Ghost Ship (9) stretches out after chasing a couple of good ones sprinting. Baby Snacks (6), a full brother to Saratoga Snacks, makes his debut and has been on a regular training pattern at Payson Park, though trainer Bill Mott seldom wins first out.
Race 6: This race is a potential landmine. Call for the Clock (5) was beaten nine lengths in his first start off an eight-month layoff. Last spring, he won second off a length layoff going a one-turn mile over the main track. Hurry Up Alan (8) goes first off the claim for Gary Gullo, who has done little wrong this winter. Note that Most Happy Fella (2) is entered to run in a $12,500 claimer on Saturday.
Race 7: Lehigh Five (6) was terrific when hammered to 6-5 favoritism against 10 foes in his sprint debut, and has pedigree to stretch out. Market Conduct (4) returns to New York-bred competition for his 3-year-old debut after finishing seventh in Grade 2 Remsen behind stablemate Leave the Light On. Saint Joseph (2) has been gelded since his sixth-place finish in the Damon Runyon in December.
Race 8: Believe it’s now or never for Point Hope (4), who drops to lowest level of his career for his second start off a layoff. Onthecurve (3) goes first off the claim for trainer Nick Esler, who is only 1 for 11 in such instances over the last two years. However, Esler reaches out for Irad Ortiz Jr., with whom he has teamed to go 11 for 33 the last two years. Beatle Boots (5) disappeared after a good second in his debut in the mud last November. Have to give him another try.
