Quills Picks Winners – Friday 9/4 – Saratoga Race 4

We have an earlier race on top today at Saratoga as we reach Labor Day weekend here in the United States. The Friday feature today is the fourth of an 11-race card on the final Friday of the Saratoga meet.

Two-year-old fillies will go a mile and a sixteenth on the inner turf course in the P.G. Johnson Stakes. Seven juvenile fillies are entered, but up to six will run as the 3 Up Before the Down will be scratched and run at Kentucky Downs on Monday.

Saratoga Race 4 – P.G. Johnston Stakes

Favored in today’s race is the 1 Pros and Cons (2/1 ML). She broke her maiden here at Saratoga in July with an impressive win here closing from the back of the pack. Don’t be fooled that her sire is Justify who won the Triple Crown in 2018. His offspring have run well on the turf though the pedigree doesn’t suggest it. Look for her to make a late run here again today.

The 2 Glycogen (5/1 ML) comes in from Ellis Park where she came from mid-pace to break her maiden at the end of July. She should be closing as well, but she could be distance limited.

The 5 Baliage (5/2 ML) won her debut here three weeks ago closing from the back of the pack to break her maiden. She did veer inward near the finish from the crop near the finish but she did get the job done in her debut.

The 7 Mel Went Home (6/1 ML) is still a maiden after three tries but showed that she can handle the turf. She finished second to Baliage but was not effected by her opponent’s inward move near the wire.

Joe’s Pick

This looks like a race that no one will want to go for the lead and everyone will be closing strongly to win this race. Pros and Cons will be tough here but I think that Baliage is a talented runner that will have a great career on the grass. Look for Baliage to get up late for the win here today.

I’m calling this race 5-1-2-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 5. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!