Rice barn to have say in pick six with $134K carryover

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – When racing resumes Friday at Aqueduct, there will be a pick-six carryover of $133,982 for a tricky sequence that includes three maiden races and the potential for a wet track.

Approximately an inch of rain is forecast Thursday into Friday morning. Thereafter, the winds are supposed to pick up significantly.

Linda Rice, who has won 16 races from her last 50 starters at Aqueduct, has six horses in five legs of the pick six, which starts with race 4 at 3:15 p.m. Eastern.

Here’s a look at the sequence:

Race 4: The sequence begins with a maiden $50,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies, so at least bettors will get a chance to look at the tote board before finalizing tickets. None of the ones who have run inspire much confidence, and the three first-time starters come out of good barns.

Rudy Rodriguez sends out Big Bennys Tribute, a half-sister to debut winner Secular Nation. Rodriguez is 5 for 33 with maiden claimers at Aqueduct over the last three years, with two of those wins coming at this meet. Big Bennys Tribute has a solid work tab for her debut.

Rice is 9 for 31 over the last three years at Aqueduct with maiden claimers (one win this meet). She sends out Forbidden Frolic, the 14th foal out of the 25-year-old mare Flashy Frolic. Eight of the previous 13 have won, including two graded stakes winners. Forbidden Folic has a spotty work tab.

“She’s struggled to keep weight on. I haven’t been able to press her too hard. I thought I’d give her a race,” Rice said.

Michelle Nevin, a capable first-out trainer, is only 1 for 7 with debuting maiden claimers at Aqueduct over the last three years. She sends out Miss You Blues, the first foal out of an unraced mare. She did get the services of leading rider Manny Franco.

Race 5: The first potential single in the sequence is the Rice-trained Eagle Pass in this $25,000 claimer. Eagle Pass is dropping from a $40,000 claimer in which he finished third as the 4-5 favorite. However, the two horses who finished ahead of him, Expert and Royal Albert Hall, both came back to win next out, with Royal Albert Hall’s victory coming in the Bernardini Stakes.

“It was a live race, but we were disappointed,” Rice said.

Rice said Eagle Pass would appreciate moisture in the track.

“He’s just a better horse in the mud,” she said.

Special Story would be the other one to consider. He was beaten a head at this level two back.

Race 6: This is another maiden claimer, and Rice sends out the probable favorite in Delta Gamma and the first-time starter Homemade.

Delta Gamma’s two best races out of her four starts have come over a wet track. Rice said she felt Homemade would benefit from having a race.

Too Many Tales is logical off a third in a maiden special weight, while the Mike Miceli-trained firster Canarsie Princess intrigues with a solid work tab and the presence of Kendrick Carmouche.

Race 7: On a dry track, Thunder’s Honor would be close to a single. He didn’t handle the sealed, sloppy surface when fourth as the favorite last December. He was entered but scratched from a $40,000 claimer on March 2 after slipping on the road and suffering some cuts, according to assistant trainer Blair Golen. He has come back with two decent half-mile moves.

Bourbon N Rye was a nonfactor against better on a very fast track Feb. 3. He won by seven lengths in the mud over statebred maiden $40,000 claimers on New Year’s Day.

Race 8: Bluegrass Jamboree put in a big race six weeks ago, but before that she was beaten by two in this field, including Pauseforthecause.

The race could set up nicely for Pauseforthecause, who has won her last three allowance races. She enters off a second in the Broadway Stakes, where she got into some trouble early in the race. She’s drawn sweetly on the outside for this.

D J’s Favorite won this condition last out when not offered for the optional claiming price. Today, she is in for the $62,500 tag.

“She won this race in the mud and she is another horse that is better on a wet track,” Rice said. “She’s a useful filly. We think Aqueduct winter is where she really fits, so we’re going to be a bit aggressive with her at this time of the year.”

Race 9: Behind the Couch got away slowly and finished very well when second on debut for trainer Jeremiah Englehart.

Lady Macho came out of that race and just missed third behind Harley Q, who is also in this race. Lady Macho was fractious at the gate before her debut, twice prompting Rajiv Maragh to dismount.