Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 7/11 – Prairie Meadows Races 7 & 8
Our focus today is also at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa as we will make what is becoming an annual trip to the Iowa oval. Their featured races are the Iowa Derby going a mile and a sixteenth in race seven, and the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap, a Grade 3 race going a mile and an eighth.
Both these races will be under the lights this evening and we might see some recognizable names in these two races, especially in the Iowa Derby which will lead us off here. Also, don’t worry about the cross entrants in this race. Both are expected to run here this evening.
Prairie Meadows Race 7 – Iowa Derby
Favored in the Iowa Derby is the 5 Desert Gate (9/5 morning line). He tired to finish fourth in the Ohio Derby at Thistledown last month. He wants to be close to the pace or even on the lead. There is other speed in this race, but this Bob Baffert trainee may be too fast for this group, especially early on in this race.
The 1 The Hell We Did (9/2 ML) was wide in the Preakness and was bumped around some in the upper stretch. He ran well in his previous race in the Bluegrass at Keeneland which showed that he can handle going two turns like his pedigree suggests. He draws the rail today and may try to settle behind the leaders today.
The 7 Bricklin (6/1 ML) is the other cross entrant that chose this race over the Indiana Derby. He comes to the Midwest after finishing last in a field of four in the Long Branch at Monmouth Park. I’m willing to toss that race since it was a very short field but has faced some tough horses on the Kentucky Derby trail. Expect him to be close to the pace today.
The 4 J J Grey (4/1 ML) won the Prairie Mile here at Prairie Meadows last month as a heavy favorite. He has progressed nicely in his last two starts, but he will face a tougher field here this evening. He will be tested, but he could win this race after prepping for this race with a race over this same oval.
Joe’s Iowa Derby Pick
I am looking for ways to beat Desert Gate here this evening. I think this horse is just too fast for this group and will go gate to wire here in the Iowa Derby. I’m calling this race 5-4-1-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 5.
Prairie Meadows Race 8 – Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (Grade 3)
Our final race this evening is the Cornhusker Handicap and a field of nine horses will go a mile and an eighth here in this Grade 3 race.
Favored is the 8 Navajo Warrior (5/2 ML). He won the Pimlico Special going gate to wire at Laurel Park in May and returns here tonight. He assumed the lead and never looked back in this race. I expect a stalking trip here this evening under the Altoona, Iowa lights.
The 4 Cornishman (9/2 ML) won this race last year and will look to defend his championship here tonight. He has won three of his last four, including the Jim and Sandra Rasmussen Stakes here at Prairie Meadows last month. He is usually further back but was closer to the pace because of the short field on the sloppy surface. Look for him to settle here this evening.
The 5 San Siro (5/1 ML) finished third in the Pimlico Special and was closing willingly but could not get to the winner. He has the strongest closing kick in the bunch here tonight.
The 3 Heroic Move (4/1 ML) won the Steve Sexton Mile closing from the back of the pack to win at Lone Star Park. He will look to avenge his loss to Cornishman in last year’s race and will do so on his third race off of a layoff.
Joe’s Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap Pick
I admit that there is no obvious front runner in this race tonight. We could have horses in spots where we do not expect them. But I think that San Siro has the best closing kick and will be flying late to get up late for the win over other closers in Heroic Move, Cornishman and Navajo Warrior.
I’m calling this race 5-4-3-8 and my play is $20 to win on the 5. Like the Horseshoe Indy article, I will have a daily double as well. I’ll play a $20 5 with 5 double as well that starts in the Iowa Derby. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
