Quills Picks Winners – Wednesday 8/26 – Saratoga Race 7

We head back to Saratoga as we start the penultimate week of their season. We begin our week with a juvenile stakes race here on the lawn here at Saratoga.

We have a field of 11, with up to nine juvenile fillies running in the Bolton Landing Stakes. Note that the rail is out 27 feet, which means there is less real estate for the horses to navigate the course as they protect the inner portion of the course for this weekend’s big races.

Saratoga Race 7 – Bolton Landing Stakes

Favored in the Bolton Landing is the 3 Side Quest (5/2 ML).  She broke her maiden in her second try and first attempt on the grass. Look for here to be near the pace this afternoon but will probably be setting the pace.

The 1 More Champagne (4/1 ML) had a failed trip over to Royal Ascot back in June in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes. She was bumped around near the two-furlong pole and weakened. If you know me, I love playing horses that have run these insanely large races. She is back home where she won easily at Keeneland back in April on the grass.

The 8 Shining Moment (5/1 ML) also faded in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. She was contesting the pace and faded around that two-furlong area of the track like More Champagne.

The 4 Extravaganzoo (6/1 ML) closed well to break her maiden here at Saratoga last month going today’s distance. Look for her to be near the pace.

Joe’s Pick

I say this every time we have a horse that comes out of these large fields that if they can handle that, they can handle anything. I think More Champagne and Shining Moment will come back to America and be better for the experience. But I will take Max Champagne here in the Bolton Landing.

I’m calling this race 1-8-3-4 and my play is $20 to win on the 1. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!