Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 7/11 – Horseshoe Indianapolis Races 11 & 12
Horseshoe Indianapolis has their biggest day of their 2026 season as they host two graded stakes this afternoon. We will look at the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks and the Grade 3 Indiana Derby. Both of these races will go a mile and a sixteenth on the main track.
With some cross entries at our other track that we are spotlighting today, Prairie Meadows which hosts the Iowa Derby this evening, we will see some cross entrants today. We will try to let you know where we think these cross entrants will run as well below and the Prairie Meadows races in our next article.
The Indiana Oaks has six entered while the Indiana Derby has nine. Rain is in the forecast, so we could have a wet track today. Let’s look at those two races here.
Horseshoe Indianapolis Race 11 – Indiana Oaks (Grade 3)
A field of six is entered in the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks, but up to five horses will run today. The 6 Mizumi will be scratched after winning the Iowa Oaks last night at Prairie Meadows.
Favored is the 5 Prom Queen (9/5 morning line) who finished a very trouble fourth in the Grade 1 Acorn at Saratoga last month. She had to steady about a furlong into the race and again around the six-and-a-half-furlong pole. She willingly closed in the Kentucky Oaks but could only get fifth in May. Look for her to be close to the pace here this afternoon.
The 3 Maximum Offer (7/2 ML) tired in the Acorn after having the lead in the race. She was hounded down the backstretch and fell back. She is the speed in this race and could take this race with a gate to wire trip.
The 4 Betty’s Pearl (9/2 ML) won an optional claiming race going the one-turn mile at Churchill Downs at the end of May. On Kentucky Oaks Day, she went two turns and closed strongly after steadying early in the race. She has a strong closing kick, but will she be able to close here today?
The 1 Star Actress (8/1 ML) closed well on the turf in an optional claiming race at Churchill Downs last month. She did finish third in the Grade 1 Ashland back in April at Keeneland. If the rain develops this afternoon, she has a win and a third in two off track races.
The 2 Nahla (6/1 ML) won an off the turf race here at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Memorial Day to break her maiden. She has been near the pace in her two turn races but she may not be fast enough to keep up with Maximum Offer early.
Joe’s Indiana Oaks Pick
This looks like a two-filly race here in the Oaks. Prom Queen will make a run at Maximum Offer but I think speed will hold here and Maximum Offer will win the race.
I’m calling this race 3-5-1-4 and my play is $20 to win on the 3.
Horseshoe Indianapolis Race 12 – Indiana Derby (Grade 3)
A field of nine is entered in the Indiana Derby, and with the Iowa Derby later on tonight, we do have some cross entries. The 5 Bricklin will run at Prairie Meadows according to his trainer Rudolphe Brisset. The plan for the 9 Desert Gate should be at Prairie Meadows as Bob Baffert plans to run there.
The 2 Mister T (30/1 ML) appears to be running in this race but he is cross entered into the fifth race in Horsehoe Indy’s card, where be may fit better on the undercard race.
Assuming favoritism duties is the 4 Our Moneyman (4/1 ML). He finished second to Further Ado in the Grade 3 Matt Winn last month at Churchill Downs. He likes to be a couple of lengths off the lead and make a move on the turn. Look for him to make a move here this afternoon in this race.
The 8 Leading Change (5/1 ML) won impressively in his debut last month, drawing off to win by over six lengths. Two turns should not be a problem here for this Gun Runner colt but could he get caught in a speed duel?
The 6 Creole Chrome (6/1 ML) was squeezed at the start of the Louisiana Legends Cheval Stakes at still won by almost 20 lengths over outclassed foes at Evangeline Downs. He has been close to unbeatable against Louisiana breds, but his kryptonite so far has been open company after tiring in the Blue Grass in April and the Pat Day Mile on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill. But this field does not appear to be as tough as those two previous open stakes races.
The 7 Out of the Woods (9/2 ML) finished second in the Delaware Derby last month at Delaware Park. He dueled down the backstretch and did not have enough to keep up with the winner late. His best races have been on the front end but there will be other horses on the lead here today.
Joe’s Indiana Derby Pick
This race took a hit when Bob Baffert shipped Desert Gate to Prairie Meadows over running here at Horseshoe Indianapolis. This does look like a race where Out of the Woods and Creole Chrome is dueling on the lead. Our Moneyman will be waiting to pounce, but the wild card here is Leading Change. The distance will not be the issue, but will he be able to sit behind the dueling leaders. If he is with the dueling leaders, he may be toast.
But I think Leading Change will be able to sit for a trainer that wins 32% of the time when he stretches horses to a route of ground (i.e., going a mile or more). I’ll take Leading Change here though I know I won’t get 5/1 odds.
I’m calling this race 8-4-6-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 8. We will also play an Oaks/Derby double for $20 which will be 3 with 8. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
