Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 8/29 – Saratoga Race 12

We continue with the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races at Saratoga and we will focus on race 12 of a 14-race card at The Spa. This race is the Ballerina Stakes and this field of 12 will go seven furlongs on the main track. The winner gets an entry into the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland at the end of October.

Saratoga Race 12 – Ballerina Stakes (Grade 1)

Favored in the Ballerina is the 7 Ways and Means (9/5 morning line). She won the Grade 2 Bed of Roses Stakes here at Saratoga in June getting her nose down in time in that race. She likes being near the pace and will sit right behind the leaders until they turn for home.

The 8 Maida (10/1 ML) is the speed of this race and has won five of her seven races lifetime. She won the Grade 2 Honorable Miss here last month and looks to make it three wins in a row, but she does have a tough field here for the third race off of an eight-month layoff.

The 10 R Disaster (5/1 ML) will be at the hip of Maida here today if not dueling for the lead here today. She races for the first time in almost four months but does have a bullet workout in her final prep for her return.

The 2 Kilwin (8/1 ML) closed strongly to win the Twin Bridges Stakes at Ellis Park last month. She is 3 for 3 on dirt, including winning the Grade 1 Test Stakes here last year closing from the back of the pack to win. She may not be all the way at the back today, but if settled for her second race of 2026, she can steal this.

Joe’s Ballerina Stakes Pick

Maida and R Disaster will go for the lead here which should open things up for the closers here. Ways and Means is the horse to beat, but I think that Kilwin will be able to close strongly again today and get up for the win.

I’m calling this race 2-7-10-8 and my play is $20 to win on the 2. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!