Pick-six carryover of $62,304 at Big A

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Those chasing the pick-six carryover of $62,304 on Wednesday at Aqueduct will have to look outside the feature race for a solid single. In fact, a case could be made for about half the 12 entered in the $53,000 second-level allowance race, carded for a mile and 70 yards.

Only 10 will be permitted to run, and four of those in the body of the race are also eligible for the optional $50,000 claiming tag.

No Reply made a good-looking return off a 6 1/2-month layoff when he rallied from off the pace to win a first-level allowance race here Dec. 1. That was his first start since he stumbled, lost his rider, and ran loose around Belmont Park's main track on May 13.

Art Magnusson, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, said No Reply suffered only superficial scrapes out of that race. But throughout the spring, he wasn't putting on any weight, and Darley Stable made the decision to turn No Reply out. He spent the rest of the year at Darley's Lexington, Ky., operation with trainer John Burke.

In his Dec. 1 victory, No Reply appeared to shy away from dirt being kicked in his face, but once he got clear, he closed powerfully for his second win from three inner-track starts.

"I'd say that's true," Magnusson said about No Reply resenting the kickback. "But we're not afraid of the rail. We're happy to have it on Aqueduct's inner track, whether they like dirt or not."

Magnusson said No Reply "is training extremely well," for this spot.

So is Run With the Lark, a New York-bred son of Runaway Groom, who worked four furlongs in a bullet 47.04 seconds Sunday at Belmont. Run With the Lark was most impressive winning a statebred allowance race here Dec. 2 before finishing last in the Alex M. Robb Handicap Dec. 30.

"Never had a chance to run, blocked the whole entire race," trainer Richard Schosberg said.

Gary Contessa sends out Hurrah for the first time since he claimed the gelding for $50,000. Contessa said his plan is to steal the race on the front end even though one of his rivals, Ricardo A, comes off a front-running win for Contessa on Dec. 12. Ricardo A was claimed by David Jacobson.

"I'm going to the front with Hurrah," Contessa said. "If Ricardo A wants the lead he's going to have to outrun me."

Contessa added that Ricardo A only went to the lead last time "because he was the best horse in the race."