Quills Picks Winners – Friday 7/31 – Saratoga Race 9

After a ton of rain over the last couple of days at Saratoga, we return to The Spa for today’s race. The track should be dried out after torrential rain that lead to Wednesday’s cancellation.

We will look at race nine of a 10-race card. This race is the Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes as three-year-olds will sprint six and a half furlongs on the main track.

Saratoga Race 9 – Amsterdam Stakes (Grade 2)

Favored in today’s race is the 7 Obliteration (7/5 morning line)> He finished third in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens here last month while swinging wide but unable to get to a runaway winner. He is the class of this field and will look to give his trainer Steve Asmussen his seventh Amsterdam win.

The 1 American Man (6/1 ML) finished second in the Grade 3 Maxfield Stakes last month. Look for him to try to get the lead with drawing the rail here this afternoon.

The 2 Local Knowledge (5/1 ML) will step up into stakes company for the first time after finishing third in an allowance race here at Saratoga last month. This will be the second race off of an eight-month layoff so coming back without a layoff appears to be a good sign. He finished willingly after getting bumped at the start of that race last month.

The 4 Gilded Bandit (9/2 ML) finished a distant fourth in the Woody Stephens last month. He appears to be the closer in the race and will hope for a speed duel up front this afternoon.

Joe’s Pick

Today’s race looks like a race that there will not be much money made on today’s race. Obliteration appears to be heads and shoulders the best horse in this field. Yes, they run the races on the track and not on paper, but he bounced back nicely after the wear and tear of traveling to Saudi Arabia in February. He has progressed nicely, especially returning to the main track in January. Look for him to win this race at a short price.

I’m calling this race 7-2-4-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 7. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!