Quills Picks Winners – Sunday 6/28 – Aqueduct’s Last Dance

Today is the day. It’s the final day of Aqueduct’s run as a race track in Queens. It’s the day that some hoped would come a long time ago, while others were counting down by the minute with the prospects of a new Belmont Park opening up on September 18.

I thought we would add this race to the site today for one last race today as the last track in New York City will become a memory of this last mile and an eighth race on the main track.

The finale is a starter allowance race here and if you started for a claiming price of $16,000 in the last 18 months, you are eligible. Eleven horses are entered in the final race at this oval.

Belmont at the Big A Race 9 – Starter Allowance

Favored in Aqueduct’s final race ever is the 5 Trusty Rusty (7/2 morning line). He comes in from Churchill Downs where he was crowded early and made a nice run but could not get to the winner. Look for him to stalk the pace, but do not be surprised that he is further back. But he never ran this distance on the main track.

The 10 Concorde Spirit (4/1 ML) will be in the next to outside post for this race and will have to contend with potentially being wide. But he could be sitting back behind horses, which would probably be the best thing for him. If he can negotiate the first turn, he has a shot today.

The 2 Sharp Spark (5/1 ML) was wide on the turn in his race here at Aqueduct last month, finishing second by a neck. He went from four-wide on the turn to 10-wide in the stretch. That could be because the track that day was sloppy, but he will have a dry track today which should make the better part of the track closer to the rail.

The 4 Assume Nothing (8/1 ML) won a claiming race at Parx and will step up along with the trip north from the Bensalem oval. He has run on the lead which lead him nowhere, but he was off the pace and made an outside bid for the win. You have a dangerous jockey/trainer combination that goes to New York looking to win this race despite the step up in class.

Joe’s Final Aqueduct Pick

Let’s go with Sharp Spark here in the finale. Aside from that race on the turf  on April 30, he has run very well here at Aqueduct this year. Look for him to sit right behind the leaders and get up late for the win in the final race ever at Aqueduct.

I’m calling this race 2-5-10-4 and my play is $20 to win on the 2. Best of luck and thanks for everything Aqueduct!