Quills Picks Winners – Friday 7/10 – Saratoga Race 9
We stay at Saratoga as we get closer to the weekend. We will take a look at race nine of a ten-race card. Three-year-old fillies will sprint six and a half furlongs in the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes. Ten fillies are entered in this race here.
There is a chance of rain, but I am expecting a fast track this afternoon. I will be handicapping as such for this race.
Saratoga Race 9 – Victory Ride Stakes (Grade 3)
Favored in the Victory Ride is the 10 Goodall (3/1 morning line). She won the Jersey Girl Stakes here last month with an outside trip. Also note that the jockey lost his whip around the quarter pole in the win. She should he able to get a similar trip this afternoon with her outside post this afternoon.
The 2 Iron Orchard (5/1 ML) finished last in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies last October and returns to the race this afternoon. She won the first two races of her career at Saratoga and looks to get another win here today. With her return today, maybe this filly is a one-turn horse?
The 5 Tommy Jo (7/2 ML) won her first two races of her career, including the Grade 1 Spinaway last August. She had a better trip in the Juvenile Fillies last year but also does return here this afternoon. Todd Pletcher’s horses win a ton in their first race back and this filly may be another one where she may be best suited to go one turn.
The 6 Peach Tie (12/1 ML) won the Miss Preakness Stakes at Laurel back in May and returns here to take on some of the better three-year-old fillies here this afternoon. She may be a few steps behind the others in this field, but she does look like a filly that can pick up some of the pieces but not all.
Joe’s Pick
We have a field here where you can make an argument for quite a few of these fillies this afternoon. In the end, I will go with the 5 Tommy Jo. She won her first two races here and they were romps. I do not necessarily think she romps here today, but with a trainer that knows how to get his horses ready off the bench, this filly has the best chance at winning today. The cutback in distance and loving Saratoga will help immensely this afternoon.
I’m calling this race 5-10-2-6 and my play is $20 to win on the 5. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
