Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 8/29 – Saratoga Races 9 & 11
It is Travers Day today at Saratoga and we will be looking at all four Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race this afternoon. With this race we will take a look at races 9 and 11 on a 14-race card.
Race 9 is the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes going a mile and an eighth with an invite to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on the line. Then we will skip ahead to race 11 where a field of eight horses will go seven furlongs in the Grade 1 Forego with the winner getting into the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
Let’s look at these two races and see if we can get some winners!
Saratoga Race 9 – Personal Ensign Stakes (Grade 1)
Favored in the Personal Ensign is the 2 Fully Subscribed (6/5 morning line). She won the Grade 2 Shuvee Stakes here at Saratoga last month closing while seven-wide in the stretch for the win. She will have targets to run after as they turn for home today.
The 4 Scottish Lassie (7/5 ML) was second early on, got the lead by the top of the stretch but could not hold off the favorite in the Shuvee. She likes to be on the lead, but there is another horse that may gun for the lead here.
The 6 Snowyte (8/1 ML) will be on the lead and both of her wins have been gate to wire wins. This is the second race back off of a four-month layoff, but she did run well against graded states company for the first time despite tiring.
The 1 Margie’s Intention (12/1 ML) runs for the first time since closing to win the Allaire DuPont Stakes at Laurel Park on Preakness weekend. She has been close to the pace, but she is better suited to close like she did last time out. She should be a sneaky play having won twice with a third in three tries at today’s distance.
Joe’s Personal Ensign Pick
Things set up very nicely for the favorite Fully Subscribed today. She has a potential duel up front that can lead to her closing effectively late for the win here in the Personal Ensign. I’m calling this race 2-4-1-6 and my play is $20 to win on the 2.
Saratoga Race 11 – Forego Stakes (Grade 1)
We skip head to race 11 which is the Forego Stakes and this field of eight will go seven furlongs. Note that the 7 Banishing will be scratched which will leave us with seven horses in this race. Banishing ran in the Charles Town Classic last night.
Favored is the 5 Book’em Danno (1/1 ML). He won the Mr. Prospector at Monmouth Park last month despite being pressured from start to finish. He has stalked the pace in the past which is what I am expecting from him today.
The 1 Tip Top Thomas (5/1 ML) is the speed in the race and drew the rail for this race. He should be alone on the lead which can be very dangerous, even with this field here this afternoon.
The 6 Senior Officer (7/2 ML) faces graded stakes company for the first time, but he fits in very well here in the jump up in class. He will be a couple of lengths behind the leaders and will close late like he has in his last three races which were all wins.
The 8 Bring the Smoke (10/1 ML) stumbled out of the start in his last race here at Saratoga last month but did make a mild bid to get fourth in an optional claiming race. Two of the horses in front of him return here as well and will look to close in this race today.
Joe’s Forego Stakes Pick
As much as I want to just say play Book’em Danno and move on until the next race, I cannot tell you that. I think that Tip Top Thomas will be dangerous on the lead here this afternoon and I think he upsets the field here today.
I’m calling this race 1-5-6-8 and my play is $20 to win on the 1. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
