Quills Picks Winners – Thursday 6/18 – Belmont at the Big A Race 5

We head to New York for what could be our final time at Aqueduct. The track in Queens, New York is closing after over 100 years at the end of the month. Many great horses have run in Queens, definitely too many to mention.

Today’s race is race five on an eight-race card, going a mile and three-eighths on the inner turf course. A field of 12 is entered, but at the most eight will run since the four horses on the outside are entered for the “main track only”, unless this race does end up off the turf. If this is off the turf, horses 9 through 12 have a major advantage.

Belmont at the Big A Race 5 – Allowance Optional Claiming

Favored amongst the turf entrants is the 2 Mutaawid (5/2 morning line). He ran this distance last month and rallied late for the win. This is your typical New York turf race going two or three turns (here, it’s three) where there is no one who will go for the lead with effort. He looks like he could have the best closing kick in this race.

The 1 Harrow (6/1 ML) went for the lead in the Grade 3 Dinner Party Stakes at Laurel Park last month and tired in the final furlong or so. He is usually towards the back of the pack and assumed the lead with the small field in that graded stakes race. Look for him to be near the back.

The 7 Coiled (6/1 ML) could not uncoil his kick last time out in an allowance at Keeneland back in April. He does like these longer distance races and should be a part of this late in the race today.

The 8 Mayor of Midnight (4/1 ML) draws the outside here if this race stays on the turf course. He races for the first time since November, finishing off the board in the Grade 3 Hill Prince Stakes here at Aqueduct. He has a new trainer who has great numbers with horses running for him for the first time as well as horses with layoffs of six months or more. I might want to see a race, but don’t be surprised if he does win here.

Joe’s Pick

I admit this is a tough race here. We have no speed, and your guess is as good as mine with who will assume the lead. But I think that the favorite Mutaawid has the best closing kick and will get up late for the win here in a mad dash to the finish.

I’m calling this race 2-1-8-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 2. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!