Quills Picks Winners – Friday 5/22 – Belmont at the Big A Race 7
We are heading to New York for today’s race of the day. Our race today is the seventh of eight races on their Friday card. Older horses will sprint six and a half furlongs on the main track in an optional claiming race.
The forecast does look like it will be a gray day there in Queens, but it does not look like there will be rain. If you’re playing the card, the turf races may end up on the main track, but I am thinking the main track will be fast for today’s race and our featured race.
Belmont at the Big A Race 7 – Allowance Optional Claiming
Favored in today’s race is the 5 Raise the Bar (3/1 morning line). He raced last month here at Aqueduct and finished third. He is second race for a new trainer and second races off of a two-month break as well. Look for this colt to be on the lead this afternoon.
The 3 El Grande O (9/2 ML) won a match race last month here at Aqueduct. We definitely can’t take too much from that, but he did make a move on the turn while wide. He has shown an affinity to stalk, so he might be in a good spot this afternoon to make a move late.
The 7 T Kraft (4/1 ML) races for the second time after a nine-month layoff when he sprinted on the grass at Churchill Downs. He needed that race and will probably be stalking from his outside post here this afternoon. He did win three in a row here at Aqueduct last year.
The 8 Tuscan Sky (7/2 ML) races for the first time since last June where he had to steady at the start of the Grade 3 Salvator Mile and then gave no respone in that race. He returns here after firing bullets with his works in both Florida and at Saratoga. The trainer knows how to get his horses ready after long layoffs and should have him ready this afternoon. But this does look like a race that he might be using to prep for longer races coming up in the future.
Joe’s Pick
I think that Raise the Bar has the ability to go gate to wire here, but I think El Grande O could be challenging the morning line favorite here. T Kraft returns to the main track today and will have to hold off Tuscan Sky at the end, which he should do.
I’m calling this race 7-8-5-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 7. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
