Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 8/22 – Del Mar Races 5 & 9
We head out to the west coast today for today’s races. It’s Pacific Classic Day where the turf meets the surf and we will take a look at the four graded stakes races on today’s card.
First will be race five on the 11-race card as a field of 10 will sprint five furlongs on the grass in the Grade 2 Green Flash Handicap with a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on the line. Then we will skip ahead to race nine as three-year-old fillies will go a mile and an eighth on the turf in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks.
Del Mar Race 5 – Green Flash Handicap (Grade 2)
Favored in this Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race is the 6 Motorious (5/2 morning line). He raced for the first time this year after a seven-month layoff and closed well but was outkicked by the winner in an optional claiming race. Obviously, this was a prep race for today and should be sitting right behind the speed horses this evening. He looks to defend his title after winning via a disqualification last year.
The 5 Sumter (4/1 ML) defeated the favorite in that optional claiming race outkicking Motorious from his outside last time out. He is usually further back and will probably need to go wide again this afternoon to get his nose down again today.
The 8 No Nay Hudson (5/1 ML) races for the first since April when he didn’t fire in the Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes. Jockey Juan Hernandez should be back at Del Mar in time after winning a race for trainer Wesley Ward in the UK yesterday. Ward knows how to get his horses to run after layoffs in this time frame. Look for him to be closing if he is ready.
The 7 Virat (10/1 ML) maybe on the lead here but could be not far off the pace like he was last month here at Del Mar. If he can settle right behind the speed along the rail, he has a shot. But if he’s with the leaders early, he probably gets cooked.
Joe’s Green Flash Pick
Look for the closers to be coming from the back of the pack here this afternoon. No Nay Hudson ran well in this race last year and should be able to come home late and get home to win if he is ready.
I’m calling this race 8-6-5-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 8.
Del Mar Race 9 – Del Mar Oaks (Grade 1)
We skip ahead to race nine as ten three-year-old fillies will go a mile and an eighth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks. Favored is the 9 Kensington Lane (3/1 ML). She won the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks at Saratoga last month with a front running score. She races for the second time in the United States after that upset score and will look to make it two for two in North America. She could take this field in a similar race pattern here today as well.
The 4 Green Carrera (7/2 ML) had a slow start in her last race last month in Ireland and it may have caught her the win. Previously she won a race with a 30-horse right at Royal Ascot in June closing from the back of the pack to win. Look for a strong closing move from this filly today.
The 3 Tam Tam (4/1 ML) won the Tepin Stakes at Churchill Downs at the end of June convincingly. She tired some going today’s distance in the Regret Stakes in May. She may be on the lead, but I would not be surprised if she tries to rate right off the speed in this race.
The 10 Raiding Party ($/1 ML) closed well while rallying while eight-wide in the Grade 2 San Clemente and finished third. She draws the outside which may not be ideal, but she has the running style where she can work a trip from the back of the pack.
Joe’s Del Mar Oaks Pick
When I look at these fillies, I was most impressed by Green Carrera. I am a fan of horses who run in insanely large races like she did in June in Royal Ascot. If you find the video of last month’s race, you will see she did have trouble at the start and did recover. She just could not get by the winner. She should be able to do that today.
I’m calling this race 4-9-10-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 4. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
