Quills Picks Winners – Tuesday 4/28 – Churchill Downs Race 8
It is Derby week, and we will be looking at the races over the next few days here on Quills Picks Winners and Also Eligible. Today, we begin the first day of our spotlight on Churchill Downs looking at the eighth race on a nine-race card.
Today’s race is an optional claiming racing going seven and a half furlongs on the main track. A field of nine horses are entered in today’s featured race.
Churchill Downs Race 8 – Allowance Optional Claiming
Favored in our featured race this afternoon is the 7 U Devil You (7/2 morning line). He won about three weeks ago at Keeneland, going the about seven-furlong distance with a three to four wide trip, dueling to the finish for the win. His best races have been near the front and if he can be near the pace, he should have a great shot here this afternoon.
The 5 Owen Almighty (5/1 ML) races for the second time in 2026 after he was very wide all the way around the track in his return to Gulfstream Park last month. He never could get closer to the rail and that race has “trouble” and “excuse” written all over it. This four-year-old is second race off the layoff and should benefit from running an excessive distance in that seven-furlong race in his 2026 debut.
The 1 This Is Uscar (8/1 ML) draws the rail for his 2026 debut, and he showed up today for the first time since being gelded. He has fired a couple of bullet workouts in preparation for today’s return race. He does look like a stalker here to me as he does not look as fast as some of the other horses early on in this race.
The 6 Echo Again (9/2 ML) will benefit most from a speed duel up front this afternoon. He was on the lead in the American Pharoah at Oaklawn last month going longer, but he has been a consistent closer in one-turn races last summer. Do not be surprised if he takes advantage of the long stretch to make a late move to win here.
Joe’s Pick
From what you are reading, I think I’m going to go with Echo Again. But I think that Owen Almighty had a horrendous race in his return. He ran fairly well here last year in the Kentucky Derby and has the class edge over this field. I’ll take Owen here today.
I’m calling this race 5-6-7-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 5. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle.
Also Eligible Goes Prime Time
Join me tonight at 8 pm Eastern/5 pm Pacific for my first prime time edition of Also Eligible as my guest will be NYRA/Fox Sports host Todd Schrupp as we talk Kentucky Derby and so much more!
