Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 5/9 – Belmont at the Big A Races 6 & 7

The Saturday will be Aqueduct (aka Belmont at the Big A) and we are going to be looking at their four stakes races this afternoon. We do have a bit of a wild card here this afternoon, as we do have rain in the forecast in the mid-Atlantic region.

Here, we will look at races six and seven on their 11-race card. Race 6 is the Grade 3 John A. Nerud Stakes, as older horses will sprint six furlongs on the main track. Then we will look at the Grade 2 Ruffian Stakes in the next races, as older fillies and mares will go the one-turn mile.

Let’s take a look at these two races here.

Belmont at the Big A Race 6 – John A. Nerud Stakes (Grade 2)

The first race we are looking at is the John A. Nerud and a field of six is sprinting six furlongs on the main track. Favored is the 5 One Nine Hundred (7/5 morning line). He races for the first time since the end of February where he was caught late in the Grade 3 Tom Fool Stakes. He returns today and will be gunning for the lead like he always does. This colt has run well on wet tracks, hitting the board in all three tries but is still seeking a first win on off tracks.

The 2 Full Moon Madness (3/1 ML) got the lead late in the Tom Fool from today’s favorite and was nailed on the wire. He will benefit from a speed duel as he will be right behind the leaders here this afternoon. Also, wet tracks should not be an issue as well.

The 4 Silver Slugger (6/1 ML) also wants the lead and will be right to the inside of the favorite today. He won two of three on off tracks which is a plus, but there is speed in this race.

The 1 Radio Red (5/1 ML) won the Haynesfield Stakes for state breds here at Aqueduct at the end of March. He made a wide move on the turn to win that race. He draws the rail, which may not be the best thing on a wet track at Aqueduct, but will have targets to close into again today.

Joe’s Pick

There is speed coming from the four through six holes, so whether or not we have a wet track at this point on the race card, the stalkers and closers will benefit. I’ll take Radio Red. This is his third race back from a layoff and should be able to handle the cutback in distance here.

I’m calling this race 1-2-4-5 and my play is $20 to win on the 1.

Belmont at the Big A Race 7 – Ruffian Stakes (Grade 2)

Up next is the Ruffian as older fillies and mares will go the one-turn mile. Favored is the 3 Eunomia (6/5 ML). she lost a heartbreaker in the Grade 2 Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland last month. She can be on the lead, but she has shown that she can rate behind the leaders if she needs to do so. Previously, she won going a one-turn mile at Colonial Downs which may be a good sign for today.

The 5 Inefficiency (3/1 ML) is two for two lifetime after breaking the maiden at first asking and then an optional claiming win about six weeks ago. She returns here today and has already experienced a wet track in her maiden breaker in February.

The 7 Dry Powder (5/1 ML) raced eight days ago in the La Troienne, finishing at the back of the pack. She looks to return to her Gulfstream Park form where she drew off to win after stumbling at the start of her win going today’s distance.

The 6 Irish Maxima (5/1 ML) won at Parx as a heavy 1/9 favorite last month. She goes up I-95 to Aqueduct to race here today. She is probably the speed in the race and is three for five lifetime on wet tracks. The problem is there is other speed here.

Joe’s Pick

Eunomia is the horse to beat here, but I think there is a possibility that we have a potential star in Inefficiency in the race today. I am willing to take a chance on the filly who is making the logical jump into stakes company. Flavien Prat staying aboard this horse today is the sign I need to go with the underfeated horse today.

I’m calling this race 5-3-8-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 5. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!