Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 6/20 – Thistledown Races 10 & 11
We continue on with the stakes action at Thistledown and we are looking at races 10 and 11 on the 12-race card. First will be the Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial as fillies and mares will sprint six furlongs. Then the fillies and mares will be in the spotlight for the Lady Jacqueline Stakes as they go a mile and an eighth.
Thistledown Race 10 – Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial
A field of 11 fillies and mares are entered and favored is the 5 Parlay (5/2 morning line). She returned from a six-month layoff and was squeezed at the top of the stretch. She likes to be close to the pace, but she will be sprinting today. Her best races have been around two turns.
The 10 Authoritarian Girl (7/2 ML) is the speed in this race, but there is a ton of speed in this race. Unlike the morning line favorite, she is a mare that regularly sprints. She races for the third time off of a layoff here this afternoon but has not put up the same numbers this year as last.
The 11 Kichi Kitsu (10/1 ML) made a late move last time out but could only get fourth three weeks ago. With the speed that is in this race, there is a possibility she could make a late move here this afternoon.
The 8 Lofty Cowtown (12/1 ML) had trouble last time out when she ran three weeks ago, as she was in tight about a furlong into the race and then faded. She is a mare that can close and with the speed that is signed up for this race, could get up late here at a nice price.
Joe’s Pick
I think this race is going to set up for the closers here which may mean this is the race where you could get a nice price come in here. I’ll take Lofty Cowtown who had issues in her last race. Look for her to make a move late with a less problematic trip.
I’m calling this race 8-11-10-5 and my play is $20 to win on the 8.
Thistledown Race 11 – Lady Jacqueline Stakes
The co-feature on the card is the Lady Jacqueline, and these fillies and mares will go a mile and an eighth. Favored is the 1 Standoutsensation (3/1 ML) who finished third in the Dig A Diamond Stakes at Oaklawn at the end of April. She likes to be close to the pace and will go for the lead here today after drawing the rail today.
The 2 Nerazurri (7/2 ML) drops in class after a pair of lackluster performances in Grade 1 company. She is a versatile type, winning on the lead at Oaklawn or from off the pace, but her best races recently were from near the front.
The 3 Take Charge Omaha (8/1 ML) is the closer in this field. She closed well at Keeneland in April and did improve her positioning late three weeks ago at Churchill. She likes this distance and can pick up the pieces here this afternoon.
The 7 Candlelight Hours (10/1 ML) finished second last time out facing Ohio breds. She returns to open company, but she can stalk behind the leaders. Look for her to try to make a move late here in this race.
Joe’s Pick
There may be some speed in this race, but I don’t see anyone keeping up with Standoutsensation here. I think she is the class of this field and will take this field gate to wire here this afternoon. She will be challenged by Take Charge Omaha and Candlelight Hours late, but the favorite should hold on for the win.
I’m calling this race 1-3-7-2 and my play is $20 to win on the 1. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
