Quills Picks Winners – Thursday 9/24 – Belmont Park Race 3
We have an earlier race on top for today from Belmont Park. We are looking at race three of an eight-race card at the newly reopened Belmont Park. A field of nine will go one mile on the main track in this optional claiming race.
Belmont Park Race 3 – Allowance Optional Claiming
Favored in today’s race is the 9 Hill Road (5/2 morning line). He races for the first time since the Breeders’ Cup Turf in November where he finished at the back of the pack. This colt changes barns since the last outing and returns to the main track today. If you remember, he won the Peter Pan at Aqueduct last year but was steered to the turf last summer. Look for him to be closing late today.
The 7 Dilger (3/1 ML) is also coming back from a long layoff as well, after tiring badly in the Grade 3 Fayette last October at Keeneland. He was scratched from the Parx Dirt Mile last weekend and pointed here for his return race. Look for him to gun for the lead, but he will have company on the inside from the 5 Secured Landing (12/1 ML) who will be also going for the lead.
The 1 White Smoke Rising (6/1 ML) finished fifth in the Grade 2 Amsterdam at Saratoga at the end of July. He is fast, but he likes to stalk. Look for him to be not far off the pace from the potential speed duel up front.
The 3 Racing Driver (8/1 ML) will be a little bit further back than White Smoke Rising as they race down the long backstretch at Belmont. He shortens up after going longer at Saratoga and may be able to close into this field today.
Joe’s Pick
I think there is enough speed that Dilger could tire late in this race thanks to Secured Landing. This will set up nicely for the favorite Hill Road who returns from a layoff that is a week short of 11 months.
Let’s take a swing at White Smoke Rising here today. I think he gets a nice trip and I think there will be enough of a speed duel that he can be first to take over the lead late. If Hill Road closes strongly in his return, so be it. Let’s try to make some money here.
I’m calling this race 1-9-7-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 1. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
