Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 5/9 – Belmont at the Big A Races 8 & 9

We continue on with the racing at the Big A today, and we will take a look at the two remaining stakes races on the card. With the fact that there is rain in the forecast for today, there is a distinct possibility that this race ends up on the main track. I will handicap this as if I’m expecting this to be on the turf, but since this is not a graded race, I’ll try to give an alternate pick.

We will also look at the Peter Pan Stakes, as we could see someone in this field run next at Saratoga for the Belmont Stakes.

Belmont at the Big A Race 8 – Take The A Train Stakes

A field of eight is entered and there are no entries listed as “main track only”. Favored in this stakes race is the 6 Cadenza (2/1 morning line). She comes in from Turfway Park where she finished in the Serena’s Song Stakes. She ran well on the Tapeta there, and her long race on the grass was a win. If this race goes off the turf, she might be a hard pass if she runs.

The 4 Emblaze (4/1 ML) closed strongly after getting bumped on the turn to win her debut with a strong closing move despite having to veer out mid-stretch. If this stays on the turf she is an intriguing play.

The 1 One More Guitar (10/1 ML) ran well in her two races at the Fair Grounds, winning her finale in March. She has learned to settle and make a huge move late. Her connections will hope this race stays on the turf as her lone dirt race was far from spectacular.

The 2 Pillar of Beauty (6/1 ML) last raced at Gulfstream in March but made a pit stop at Churchill Downs and trained here for a few weeks before coming up north to New York. She rallied to finish second last time out but finished second to Slay The Day who won a Grade 3 race at Keeneland next time out. She could be a sneaky choice here if this does stay on the grass.

Joe’s Pick

I will have to make a conditional pick here for this race. If this race stays on the turf, Emblaze is my selection. She looks like an up-and-coming sprinter on the grass. If we are off the turf, then my play is the 7 Just Philtored (51 ML). She has run well on the main track and should have a big advantage if this is rained off the turf.

My pick is the 4 if we are on the grass, and 7 if we are on the main track. $20 to win on either horse.

Belmont at the Big A Race 9 – Peter Pan Stakes (Grade 3)

Then we have the main event of the day, the Peter Pan Stakes as three-year-olds go a mile and an eighth in this race which is usually a prep race for the Belmont Stakes. This year, with the fact that Golden Tempo is not running in the Preakness, more horses will be converging onto Laurel Park for next weekend’s race.

Bull by the Horns is one of those horses that plans to run at Laurel after the Golden Tempo announcement. He will be scratched today to run next week.

The 3 Growth Equity (6/5 ML) is favored and has improved in each of his three starts. He was closer to the pace and drew of to break his maiden last time out. Look for him to be sitting near the pace again today.

The 1 Trendsetter (3/1 ML) won the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes last month at Keeneland where he stalked the pace and took over at huge odds. He has run well going two turns and should enjoy the longer distance today.

The 2 Azam (10/1 ML) will be on the lead, but will probably be on the lead here today. The Issue for him will probably be the distance.

The 5 Talk to Me Jimmy (9/5 ML) runs for the third time after a layoff and will be setting the fractions today. He tired in the Wood Memorial here last month in a failed attempt to get into the Kentucky Derby. He will have company on the front end with the 6 Gulfy (9/1 ML) who won his last two on the front end. But that two-turn race here on New Year’s Eve was not a good one.

Joe’s Pick

I think Trendsetter will be getting the set up here to win as we should have a few horses on the lead here. But I will warn that things could run differently since this is a small field. But it does look like he will be able to close for the win. He should be able to get by Growth Equity for the win.

I’m calling this race 1-3-5-6 and my play is $20 to win on the 1. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!