Quills Picks Winners – Friday 10/23 – Keeneland Race 9
With another win under our belts, we stay at Keeneland for today’s race of the day. Our race today is race nine of a ten-race card. Three-year-old fillies will race one mile on the turf in the Grade 2 Valley View Stakes.
Keeneland Race 9 – Valley View Stakes (Grade 2)
Favored in the Valley View Stakes this afternoon is the 5 Sister Troienne (6/5 morning line). She will need a new jockey after Irad Ortiz was injured in Thursday’s finale at Keeneland. This filly closed strongly in the Winter Memories at Belmont Park despite being boxed in at the top of the stretch. A clearer path to the finish may be what the doctor ordered here today.
The 3 Define (9/2 ML) ran well in an allowance race last month and closed to win at Churchill Downs. She bounced back after a poor showing in the Del Mar Oaks in August. Look for her to stalk the pace or even have the lead here this afternoon.
The 2 Spin a Tune (10/1 ML) finished second by a head in an allowance race at Churchill last month, breaking a two race winning streak. She stalked in the last race but could be closing from further back like she did at Ellis Park in August for a win.
The 10 Dakotah Blue (10/1 ML) steadied at the start and then faded in the Grade 3 Dueling Grounds Oaks at Kentucky Downs last month. This could have been because of the European style course that Kentucky Downs is, the longer distance, or a combination of things. She won previously at Woodbine on their inner turf course winning the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen Stakes. Do not be surprised if she is making a move let despite drawing the outside post.
Joe’s Pick
It will be interesting to see who rides on Sister Troienne this afternoon after Irad Ortiz’s injury yesterday. I do not that that will hinder her, but I want to try to beat her here today.
I’ll take Dakotah Blue in an upset here this afternoon. Sure, the post is not ideal, but she had issues from the start at Kentucky Downs on top of dealing with the uniqueness of that course. Returning to a typical American turf course will help her here at hopefully a nice price.
I’m calling this race 10-5-3-2 and my play is $20 to win on the 10. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
