Quills Picks Winners – Friday 10/9 – Keeneland Race 9

After taking a day off yesterday, we are back and ready to go for the action today at Keeneland. Today’s race is race nine of a 10-race card as a field of 16 horses, with up to 12 horses running in the Grade 2 Sycamore Stakes. Those running will race a mile and a half on the turf course.

Keeneland Race 9 – Sycamore Stakes (Grade 2)

Favored in today’s race is the 2 Just a Touch (5/2 morning line). He won the Colonial Cup at Colonial Downs last month stalking the pace early and dueling late for the win. He is very versatile, having won on the lead back in June in the Cape Henlopen or from last in an allowance race here at Keeneland in April. That versatility should help him in this race this afternoon.

The 8 Tiz Dashing (9/2 ML) stalked the pace in an allowance race at Saratoga in August and edged clear late for the win. He could be near the pace here, but it also wouldn’t surprise me if he is further back depending on the pace in this race. But considering the distance, I’m thinking the former instead of the latter.

The 13 Lambeth (4/1 ML) is first on the “also eligible” list but could draw in with the 3 Mercante (20/1 ML) racing last week. If that is the case, Lambeth has an outside post, but finished second to marathon turfer Tawny Port in the two mile and a sixteenth Gold Cup Invitational last month at Kentucky Downs. Don’t be surprised if is up there at the end today.

The 11 Desvio (8/1 ML) finished last in the Grade 2 Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs last month, but his trainer said that he did not like the track. That may be the excuse that explains the poor performance. He will sit back and make a move as well here like he did last year when he won this race.

Joe’s Pick

I admit I am not fond of the post for Lambeth but he did run a huge race at Kentucky Downs. Tawny Port finished second at Woodbine last week in the Grade 1 Canadian International which should still help Lambeth if you believe in my transitive property theories.

Lambeth will be challenged by the outside post as well as the favorite Just a Touch and Desvio, but I think Lambeth gets it done today. I’m calling this race 13-11-2-8 and my play is $20 to win on the 13. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!