Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 9/26 – Santa Anita Races 7-9
We continue on with the races today from Santa Anita, and we are looking at races seven through nine here. All three of these races are graded stakes races.
Race 7 is the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship Stakes going a mile and a quarter on the turf. Next is the Goodwood, a Grade 1 race on the main track which is a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Then we will close out with the Grade 3 John C. Harris Stakes going down the hill.
Santa Anita Race 7 – John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (Grade 2)
First up here is the John Henry Turf Championship Stakes going a mile and a quarter on the turf. Favored is the 7 Atitlan (1/1 morning line). He closed from the back of the pack in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap last month, finishing second by a neck. He has run very well in his two races so far and should have a peak performance here this afternoon. Expect him to be flying late.
The 1 Mondego (3/1 ML) closed well in the Del Mar Handicap but was outkicked to the finish. He may have finished fifth, but he only missed by a length. He likes the distance and should be flying late as well.
The 3 Atomic Age (7/2 ML) was part of the mad dash to the finish in the Del Mar Handicap and finished third. He has shown that he can handle these long distances and should be moving late as well.
The 6 Flashiest (20/1 ML) will be sitting right behind the speed in this race. He has been close in graded stakes races here at Santa Anita this spring and might get first run at the leaders today. I am concerned that he tired last time out, but he does like the races in the mile and a quarter to mile and a half range.
Joe’s Pick
This race is all about Atitlan here today. He lost a heartbreaker last time out and should be able to get the job done here at a short price. Things should get interesting late, but the favorite wins.
I’m calling this race 7-3-6-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 7.
Santa Anita Race 8 – Goodwood Stakes (Grade 1)
Up next is the Goodwood Stakes, and the winner of this race will earn a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Nine horses are entered and it appears all nine will run. McAfee and Original Sin are both entered for the Clark Stakes at Churchill, but they will run here at Santa Anita instead.
Favored in this Grade 1 race is the 9 Nevada Beach (7/5 ML). This will be his first race since February where he was always at the back of the field in the Saudi Cup back in February. He returns here looking like he is ready to go here today. He likes being near the pace and could have a perfect stalking trip from his outside post here today.
The 4 Original Sin (6/1 ML) finished second in the Pacific Classic, unable to keep up with Knightsbridge late in that race. He has a strong closing kick which should come into play here today. Also, there is no Knightsbridge in this race, so that is a plus as well.
The 7 Forged Steel (5/1 ML) won the Gold Cup here at Santa Anita in May, but showed little in his next two races in the Suburban at Saratoga and the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. He does shorten up a furlong for this race but should be pressure on the lead from the start from Caldera directly to his right.
The 2 Vodka Vodka (15/1 ML) stumbled at the start of the Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar and finished off the board in his first race in almost five months. He is better suited going two turns and will get that opportunity this afternoon. He may not win, but I am expecting a much better performance today.
Joe’s Pick
We will have a speed duel here and I think that Nevada Beach gets a perfect trip stalking the dueling leaders. Original Sin will make it interesting late, but Nevada Beach gets the bid for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
I’m calling this race 9-4-2-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 9.
Santa Anita Race 9 – John C. Harris Stakes (Grade 3)
We close out our day with the John C. Harris Stakes as three-year-old fillies will race down the hill in this stakes race. Ten fillies are entered in this grade 3 race.
Favored is the 10 Little Opal (3/2 ML). She is two for two lifetime after a pair of wins sprinting on the grass at Del Mar. She has the speed to go gate to wire here this afternoon. If she can get that lead early, it could be lights out on this field.
The 4 Yours Sincerely (5/2 ML) has experience running down the hill, finishing third in the Senorita Stakes back in May. She won her return race at the beginning of August at Del Mar springing on the grass in an allowance race. Look for her to be closing late in this game.
The 1 Mo’ Em Down (6/1 ML) won an allowance race at Del Mar three weeks ago while wearing down her rival. She has won down the hill, but she also did not fair well in the Senorita, but she did have an excuse in that race.
The 3 Brave Deb (8/1 ML) races for the first time since last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. This looks like a prep race for a two-turn race next time out but she does have the front running ability to keep things interesting.
Joe’s Pick
Once again we are going down the hill and I am looking for fillies who can handle going down the hill. Little Opal has the speed to keep herself out of trouble down the hill and the ability to get to the finish line first. But I want to try to beat her today with Yours Sincerely who just missed in a graded stake back in May.
I’m calling this race 4-10-3-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 4. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
