Quills Picks Winners - Sunday 4/19 - Keeneland Race 8
We close out another week of racing at Keeneland with three-year-olds sprinting five and a half furlongs on the turf. This race is the Palisades Stakes and some of the top sophomore sprinters will race this afternoon in the featured race of the day.
Keeneland Race 8 – Palisades Stakes
Note that the 1 Track Tiger will be scratched from today’s race. He ran yesterday in a stakes race at Santa Anita.
Favored is the 4 Schwarzenegger (3/1 morning line). He returns this afternoon after yielding late in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on Halloween at Del Mar. He is a very fast colt and will try to go gate to wire here this afternoon hoping to say “Hasta la vista, baby!” to this field.
The 6 Sandal’s Song (6/1 ML) returns to the races after last being seen across the pond at Royal Ascot, finishing third in the Norfolk Stakes against some of the best horses in the world. It may be concerning he has not run in ten months, but he does return here looking to stalk the favorite today.
The 10 Throckmorton (6/1 ML) closed to just miss in the “off the turf” Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream Park last month. He was bumped around at the start of the race and at the top of the stretch but still closed. It is possible that he found a new way to run, but this is a colt who likes to gun to the lead, no matter the surface. He is very fast and might be better suited for two-turn turf races. The question is does he gun for the lead like he has in previous starts or make a late move.
The 2 Walter the Mason (15/1 ML) races for the second time this year after starting the season in a quarter horse race at Sunland Park. I know what you are thinking. What are you thinking? He circled the field to win, but he did win sprinting at Remington Park last September.
Joe’s Pick
I think that Schwarzenegger might be the fastest three-year-old turf sprinter and will try to take this field gate to wire. But last year he did blow leads in two of his three starts. Throckmorton will be on the outside and should be stalking. I think he gets up late over the favorite here this afternoon.
I’m calling this race 10-4-6-2 and my play is $20 to win on the 10. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
