Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 7/18 – Monmouth Park Races 4, 6 & 7

Today is Monmouth Park’s big day, and we here at Q&A Racing have everything covered. You will see some big names in these stakes races on the Monmouth card today.

We will take a look here at three races. First, race 4 is the Monmouth Cup Stakes as a field of six will go a mile and an eighth. We’ll skip ahead to race 6 where fillies and mares will go a mile and a sixteenth in the Grade 2 Molly Pitcher Stakes. Then we will finish this portion of the day with the Grade 3 Matchmaker Stakes.

There is rain in the forecast but Monmouth will do whatever they can to keep race seven on the turf course. With that in mind, let’s look at these races.

Monmouth Park Race 4 – Monmouth Cup (Grade 3)

Favored in the Monmouth Cup is the 4 Knightsbridge (7/5 morning line). He stretches out to go two turns for the first time in his career. This is a race that could help decide his fate later this year as he has run well at a mile, but they were all one-turn races. He has the pedigree to love the longer races but never tapped into that potential until today. Look for him to be near the pace today.

The 5 Skippylongstocking (3/2 ML) finished second in the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill Downs in May. This horse is still running well at age seven and won some of the biggest races. He can be near the pace or off so his versatility will be key. He also likes a wet track in case the track does come up wet today.

The 1 Money Game (5/2 ML) is four for four lifetime and steps up to face stakes company for the first time. Though it is his first time, he fits with this group and could continue his unbeaten streak here today.

The 3 Alexander Helios (8/1 ML) finished a tiring fourth in his return race at Gulfstream Park at the end of May. He needed that race, but never really did well other than that Razorback last year at Oaklawn. He probably is best of the rest in this field.

Joe’s Monmouth Cup Pick

This looks like a three-horse race here and I think that Knightsbridge should be able to handle the distance with no issues. But I think that Skippylongstocking lurking in this race, the latter will get the job done over Money Game.

I’m calling this race 5-4-1-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 5.

Monmouth Park Race 6 – Molly Pitcher (Grade 2)

Seven fillies and mares are entered in the Grade 2 Molly Pitcher Stakes. Favored is the 7 Splendora (3/2 ML) who won the Shawnee Stakes after taking the lead around the three-eighths pole. She should be on the lead with the lack of obvious speed here.

The 6 Alpine Princess (7/2 ML) did not show much in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps last month at Saratoga but she did face Nitrogen that day. This may just be one of those races that you ignore as she returns here today. Look for her to be close to the pace this afternoon.

The 5 Nerazurri (5/1 ML) bounced back from two dull performances to win the Lady Jacqueline at Thistledown last month essentially going gate to wire. She might be the horse that tries to challenge the favorite on the lead.

Don’t worry about the cross entry note that you may see with the 1 Scalable (9/2 ML). She scratched at Saratoga yesterday to run here today. She finished fourth in the Bed Of Roses at Saratoga last month and will look to improve off of that effort. She shouldn’t be as wide as she was last time out with the rail draw.

Joe’s Pick

It is hard to go against Bob Baffert’s horse Splendora here today. I think she gets challenged by Nerazurri but the favorite wins here this afternoon.

I’m calling this race 7-5-6-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 7.

Monmouth Park Race 7 – Matchmaker Stakes (Grade 3)

A field of seven is entered in the Matchmaker Stakes going a mile and a sixteenth on the grass. We have two cross entry notes in the program for this race. Don’t worry about 7 Long Ago who was scratched from the race at Saratoga on Friday.

The 6 Five G is entered both here at in the Diana Stakes at Saratoga, but no indication where she is running was known according to several articles.

Favored is the 1 Sweet Treasure (2/1 ML). she went gate to wire in the Grade 3 Mint Julep Stakes at the end of May. She has won from on the lead and off the pace and her versatility will be key here. But will she go for the lead here drawing the rail?

The 2 Grayosh (4/1 ML) finished third in the Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes here last month. She will be closing today but may be a step or two behind the other horses in this race.

The 3 City Girl (5/2 ML) finished fourth after taking up early in the Grade 1 New York Stakes at Saratoga last month. She won two in a row previously and should be flying late here this afternoon.

The 7 Long Ago (4/1 ML) ran well in the Miss Liberty Stakes here at the end of May and was stubborn in defeat. She had a front running trip and lost it late. She returns today looking to win in her second race off of an almost seven-month layoff.

Joe’s Matchmaker Pick

This is an interesting field in this race and I think that we could have a mad dash to a finish. I think that City Girl has the strongest kick and will be able to sprint home the best in this field.

I’m calling this race 3-7-1-2 and my play is $20 to win on the 3. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!