Two $100,000 stakes are key in pick six with mandatory payout

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Two competitive $100,000 stakes for New York-breds are part of a pick six sequence Wednesday at Aqueduct that has a $21,353 carryover on a day when the entire pool must be distributed.

The Bay Ridge, for females, and the Alex M. Robb, for males – both at 1 1/16 miles – will go as races 5 and 8, making them the second and fifth legs of the pick six. Since it is the final day of 2014, the entire pick six pool must be distributed.

Carameaway and Miss Da Point, 1-2 in a New York-bred allowance race here Dec. 5, likely will garner the most support in the Bay Ridge, but the 12-horse field includes contenders Flipcup and Macha as well as horse-for-course Storied Lady.

Speaking of horses for courses, Awesome Vision and Effinex have shown an affinity for the inner track, but they will have to catch the speedy Readthebyline while also dealing with Big Business in the Alex M. Robb.

BAY RIDGE STAKES (RACE 5)

KEY CONTENDERS

Carameaway (Last 3 Beyers: 84-80-88)

◗ She came off a seven-week break to post a half-length victory over Miss Da Point in her prep for this Dec. 5.

◗ She fired a bullet five-furlong workout Dec. 22, which gives trainer Mitch Friedman confidence that his filly can fire on 26 days’ rest.

“That work was terrific last time; she galloped out strong, really good,” Friedman said.

◗ Despite a large field, there is not a lot of early speed in the field, though Miss Narcissist, a sprinter stretching out, could press Carameaway early.

◗ Jeremy Rose rides Carameaway as Irad Ortiz Jr. elects to ride Macha, who is making her first start for trainer Rudy Rodriguez after having raced for Jerry Hollendorfer in California.

Miss Da Point (Last 3 Beyers: 83-57-73)

◗ She returned from a five-month layoff with a solid second to Carameaway last out.

◗ She defeated Carameaway twice over Aqueduct’s main track. Miss Da Point is 4 for 10 over the inner track.

◗ “I freshened her up. She had gone sour on me over the summer,” trainer John Toscano said. “I was pleased with her last race; she showed she’s still got that vim and vigor.”

Flipcup (Last 3 Beyers: 40-83-76)

◗ She finished two lengths in front of Carameaway when those two were second and third in the Empire Distaff at Belmont in October.

◗ She was in over her head when finishing last in the Grade 3 Comely Stakes on Nov. 29.

“She’ll be happy to be back with New York-breds,” said Leana Willaford, a New York assistant to trainer Bill Mott. “Physically, she’s doing great; she looks really good.”

ALEX M. ROBB STAKES (RACE 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Big Business (Last 3 Beyers: 96-93-89)

◗ He has a record of 3-4-1 in eight starts against New York-breds, with his biggest margin of defeat being two lengths.

◗ He was beaten just 2 1/4 lengths for second in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile last out.

◗ He has just one win in 10 starts in races around two turns, including a head loss as the 8-5 favorite to Alex M. Robb entrant Sinistra in the Evan Shipman Stakes at Saratoga.

Awesome Vision (Last 3 Beyers: 96-80-66)

◗ He is the prototypical horse-for-course, with a 5-0-2 mark from 10 inner-track starts. He won his prep for this by six lengths Dec. 4.

◗ He finished third as the even-money choice in this race last year.

◗ “I was up there the other day, and he looked fantastic,” trainer Tom Albertrani said from south Florida. “He’s never been a real sharp work horse, but his last couple of works have been better than his typical works. I’m really pleased with how he’s going into this race.”

Effinex (Last 3 Beyers: 91-96-75)

◗ He didn’t have the best of trips when fourth in Grade 2 Hawthorne Gold Cup last out.

◗ He won the Empire Classic by a neck at 17-1 in his most recent start against New York-breds.

Readthebyline (Last 3 Beyers: 98-70-71)

◗ In two starts for trainer Michelle Nevin, the gelding has two front-running victories, with Beyer Speed Figures of 109 (in May) and 98 last out in winning a New York Stallion Stakes race.