Mullings ... rides Black River.

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Having proved elusive on Wednesday, the Pick-9 offers a $1.4 million carryover at Caymanas Park on Saturday and will more than likely result in a payout exceeding $2 million if it is caught.

With the stable-companions ABENG (12-1) and GEISHA'S ART (6-1) providing the upsets, Pick-9 consolations prizes of $9,974 each were paid to 13 punters having eight of nine winners. The Super-6, on the other hand, was caught by 35 punters, each receiving $27,137.00.

Effective over straigh

Tomorrow's Pick-9 embraces races two to 10; the Super-6 from five to 10. We look at the Super-6 which commences with a straight five claiming race ($210,000-$190,000) to be contested by nine starters including leading lights CRUISING ALTITUDE, CHOO CHOO CHOO, BLACK RIVER, MUSTANG and NYAH MAN, who though worst drawn on the far side, has the speed to prove competitive.

All are quite effective over the straight but given the conditions of weight allotment, the one to beat must be BLACK RIVER with title-chasing jockey Oneil Mullings aboard.

Trained by Robert Darby Sr., the 5-y-o mare is actually edging down in class after finishing a good third to BABY RENEE over 1200 metres on a $260,000 claiming tag May 19. And prior to that she was 1 1/2 second lengths to the fleet-footed HAFIFA over the straight on April 28, a race in which she had CRUISING ALTITUDE behind in seventh.

Down-in-class ISLAND CIGAR can shown his appreciation by landing the sixth race over 1400 metres for $160,000 claimers for which 10 have been declared.

He could just have the beating of $170,000 claimers and gets the nod over ALLEGRO and MY BOY.

MEDICAL REPORT, beaten a mere length into third by MUSICAL MAESTRO in the recent Hall of Fame Stakes Trophy over 1200 metres, should overhaul the speedy DOUBLE BEAU in the seventh race over 1100 metres for open allowance horses to be contested by only six starters.

In the eighth race for the Joshua Morrison Memorial Cup, BRITISH LA GENERAL (knocking at the door) and MITAKA (working well) will more than likely fight out thefinish, but both could fall victim to the persistent tardy starter MYTHICAL PEGASUS should he decide to leave the gates promptly on this occasion.

The last two races should be won by down-in-class GOOD COMPANY (working exceptionally well) and FIRE D TRAINER who returns pretty light following a 4 1/2-month respite. Their respective dangers are the 2003 Superstakes winner PITTACUS (also down in class) in the ninth over 1600 metres and the well-trained WILD AT HEART in the 10th and final over the straight.

SUPER-6 FANCIES

(5) BLACK RIVER/CRUISING

(6) ISLAND CIGAR/ALLEGRO/MY BOY

(7) MEDICAL REPORT/DOUBLE BOW

(8) BRITISH LA GENERAL/MITAKA/MYTHICAL PEGASUS

(9) GOOD COMPANY

(10) FIRE D TRAINER/

WILD AT

HEART/MASANIELLO