Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 6/13 – Monmouth Park Races 4-6
Today is a big day here at Q&A Racing. Our horse Schoolyardsuperman is running in the Pegasus Stakes today, which is race five of a ten-race card. There are four stakes races on the card, and we will look at all of them today.
You would think that our boy’s race would be a separate article than the other races. But it is not since races four to six are all stakes races. Race four is the Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes for fillies and mares going a mile and a sixteenth. Race six is the Monmouth Stakes which is also on the grass, going a mile and an eighth.
The race which is our feature is race five, which is the Pegasus Stakes. Six horses are entered, including Schoolyardsuperman. If he finishes in the top two, he will be invited to the Haskell, which is the signature race of Monmouth Park, and it is an opportunity for him to take on the big boys of the three-year-old division.
Let’s take a look at these three races.
Monmouth Park Race 4 – Eatontown Stakes (Grade 3)
We begin with the Eatontown and we have a field of eight fillies and mares are entered in this race. Favored in the Eatontown is the 7 Whiskey Decision (8/5 morning line). She finished fourth in the Grade 3 Modesty Stakes at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day. Look for her to stalk the pace, but she can close from further back like she did three races back at Gulfstream Park.
The 1 Gimme a Nother (2/1 ML) ran very well last year in North America after racing in her first seven races in South Africa. She did run fresh at Tampa Bay Downs last year in her American debut. Expect her to be closing late if she is ready, which she should be.
The 6 Grayosh (3/1 ML) dead heated for the win at Aqueduct back at the end of April in her 2026 debut. She stalked in that win but can close from further back.
The 4 Don’t Jinx It (9/2 ML) finished third in her 2025 finale at Aqueduct in November in the Grade 3 Jockey Club Oaks. She is the speed of this race and could go gate to wire here for a trainer that wins at 22% with horses coming back from layoffs of six months or more.
Joe’s Pick
There isn’t that much speed in this race which could make things interesting. Don’t Jinx It will be on the lead, but I think she gets caught late. Whiskey Decision will have the jump on Grayosh and will get up late for the win.
I’m calling this race 7-6-4-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 7.
Monmouth Park Race 5 – Pegasus Stakes
This is the race that we have been waiting for here at Q&A Racing. Our boy Schoolyardsuperman runs in the Pegasus. If he finishes in the top two, he has an opportunity to take on some of the big boys in the Haskell next month.
Schoolyardsuperman is the 4 today (8/5 ML) and is favored today. There is a lot of speed in this race but he should be ready to go here. He has not run in two months, but that includes races that did not fill. He should be sitting right behind a couple of horses that might be faster.
The 5 Ponder and Dream (8/1 ML) is one of those speed horses but is cross entered into the Delaware Derby. As of Thursday, there was no indication where he would end up running.
The 1 National Charter (7/2 ML) broke his maiden last time out at Churchill Downs three weeks ago. He looks like he will stalk, but that mile was a fast mile. But he will be going two turns for the first time.
The 6 Baby Vino (9/2 ML) broke his maiden last month at the end of the Oaklawn meet. He had some trouble having to steady around the half-mile pole. He has progressed nicely over the winter there and could be the closer in this race.
Joe’s Pick
Yeah, you are going to think I am biased here, but I think Schoolyardsuperman has a major class edge here in this race. I also like the jockey change to Flavien Prat riding the gray/roan colt this afternoon as well.
I’m calling this race 4-6-1-5 and my play is $20 to win on the 4.
Monmouth Park Race 6 – Monmouth Stakes
A field of eight is entered in the Monmouth Stakes going a mile and an eighth. Favored is the 4 Program Trading (3/2 ML) who will be dropping in class today. Like Schoolyardsuperman, the modus operandi is the same. Finish in the top two and get the invite to the next race in this series, which in this race is the United Nations Stakes.
He gave way in the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. He can be close to the pace or further back. This is an obvious “get right” race for this six-year-old ridgling.
The 8 Nebras (3/1 ML) finished last in a field of five in Lingfield in the UK back in February. He makes his North American debut today after being on the lead and still fighting until the end despite giving up the lead near the quarter pole. He is an interesting and a well-bred grass horse in this field.
The 1 Sand Pipes (7/2 ML) closed well here at Monmouth two weeks ago finishing third in the Cliffhanger Stakes. He likes to be near the pace but may be on the lead here after drawing the rail.
The 7 Naptown (12/1 ML) closed well in an optional claiming race at Laurel Park having been outkicked for the win. He steps up in class but will be looking to get at least a piece of this today.
Joe’s Pick
This is another great race today at Monmouth. Program Trading deserves favoritism, but I think Chad Brown’s other horse Nebras has a strong closing kick. Yes, you will have to dig for videos of his races, but he is a dangerous horse here.
I’m calling this race 8-4-1-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 8. I’ll also give a 50-cent pick-3 of 4,6,7 with 4 with 4,8 which would cost $3. Best of luck everyone and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
