Quills Picks Winners – Friday 6/5 – Saratoga Races 9 & 10

Day three of the Belmont Stakes Festival takes us to the turf for the Wonder Again Stakes, and I thought while we are at it, we will also take a look at the Acorn Stakes. These races are both for three-year-old fillies.

The Wonder Again Stakes is for three-year-old fillies going a mile and a sixteenth on the inner turf course. Following that is the Acorn Stakes, which will be a mile and an eighth test on the main track. Let’s dive into these two races.

Saratoga Race 9 – Wonder Again Stakes (Grade 2)

We start our portion of the day with race nine today. Our featured race is the Grade 2 Wonder Again Stakes. A field of nine is entered in this turf race on Saratoga’s inner turf, but eight will run. The 9 Pashmina (1/1 morning line) is entered as main track only, but the rain will not arrive until tomorrow, so she will be scratched.

Assuming favorite duties is the 8 Lion Lake (8/5 ML). She ran every well in her last six races, including just missing in the Grade 2 Edgewood Stakes on Kentucky Oaks Day. She can stalk or she could be further back. Her versatility will make her dangerous here this afternoon.

The 2 Fitz Right (4/1 ML) might just fit in like her name suggests. She won two races in a row, with the last a win from the back of the pack in the Memories of Silver Stakes at Aqueduct at the end of April. She will sit and make a big move late to pass horses in deep stretch.

The 3 Coach Mazzula (6/1 ML) is the speed of this race and will be setting the fractions today. She won the Hilltop Stakes at Laurel Park on Preakness weekend. Look for her to try to go gate to wire here today.

The 7 Call On Me (8/1 ML) had a couple of “stakes scratches” last week at Penn National and Churchill Downs to run here today. She can close from further back, or she might be stalking right behind Coach Mazzula today. This filly may only have three races in her young career, but she should be able to step up in class here this afternoon.

Joe’s Wonder Again Pick

I think that Coach Mazzula will be on the lead and she will be caught. I just think the horses that will be closing will be stronger. I’m throwing Call On Me in because I think she fits in this group. I can’t throw out the favorite Lion Lake, but I think that Fitz Right does just that here today and gets up late for the win with Flavien Prat aboard.

I’m calling this race 2-8-7-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 2.

Saratoga Race 10 – Acorn Stakes (Grade 2)

A short but mighty field of five fillies are entered in the Grade 2 Acorn Stakes. Favored is the Kentucky Oaks winner, the 5 Always a Runner (4/5 ML). She closed well to win the Oaks last month with a strong closing kick. There is some speed, but there is a possibility that the short field could hinder her.

The 1 Prom Queen (7/2 ML) was further back than normal in the Kentucky Oaks, but in a field of 14, you can expect that. She looks like a stalker, but with the small field, could she assume the lead?

Counting Stars (#2, 9/2 ML) was impressive two races back drawing off to win the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park. She had a perfect trip but she was passed on the outside by Meaning and Always a Runner by the time she got by the front runner in deep stretch.

The 3 Meaning (3/1 ML) briefly had the lead in the stretch in the Oaks but was passed by Always a Runner in deep stretch. She likes to be close to the pace and could up make the fractions a little bit faster today.

Maximum Offer (#4, 15/1 ML) is the longshot in the field and is what I would call “race filler”. She did finish fourth in the Martha Washington while on the Kentucky Oaks trail at Oaklawn but faltered badly in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks in March. Even if she does get things her own way, I think that if we were to select which filly finishes last, she would be a heavy favorite to do that.

Joe’s Acorn Pick

I could just say take Always a Runner as a win percentage pick since the return on investment would be very low. But I am also a fan of Counting Stars. I think she avenges her loss to Meaning and Always a Runner and wins this race tyda.

I’m calling this race 2-5-3-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 2. I’ll also play a double of 2 with 2 starting in race nine for $20 as well. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!