Paumonok rung on Don Six ladder

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Scott Lake will be in California on Saturday to saddle multiple graded winner Shake You Down in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint. But Lake thinks his best sprinter may be running at Aqueduct in Saturday's $75,000 Paumonok Handicap.

An admirer of Don Six from afar, Lake took over training the horse in early December and immediately saddled him to victory in the Grade 3 Gravesend Handicap. Frank Generazio previously trained Don Six for his wife, Patricia.

"I told Frank last week if he stays sound I think he can win the Breeders' Cup [Sprint]," Lake said. "I think he's that nice of a horse. The way he's been training, the way he's breezed, every day you see this horse he gets more intense. The way he's been training I expect him to run big."

had things his own way in the Gravesend, making an easy lead and repelling a mild challenge from Mr. Whitestone. Saturday, Don Six figures to have plenty of company early from Uncle Camie and either of trainer Steve Asmussen's pair of Korbyn's Gold and Polish Rifle. Only one the Asmussen runners are eligible to run since Pablo Fragoso is named on both.

"Honestly, I don't think he needs to be in front," Lake said of Don Six, who drew the rail, which probably will force Aaron Gryder to put Don Six on the lead.

Like a quarterback who can beat you with his arm or his legs, trainer Mike Hushion has two ways to win the Paumonok, with Uncle Camie or Papua. If Don Six takes back, Uncle Camie becomes dangerous on the front end. If Don Six and Uncle Camie hook up, Papua could take advantage from off the pace.

is 3 for 4 over the inner track. His only poor race in his last four outings was in the Hudson Handicap at Belmont when he was rated. Hushion said jockey Richard Migliore will "let him roll" on Saturday.

"If they go 21.44 he still might go on with it," Hushion said. "If Don Six runs with him, Papua will be sitting right behind them."

Mr. Whitestone, who finished second in the Gravesend, would also benefit from a hotly contested pace. He will break from post 7 under Julian Pimentel.

Gators N Bears, a winner of 10 of 25 career starts, is the 120-pound highweight in the Paumonok. He came up empty when fourth as the favorite in the Gravesend.