Quills Picks Winners – Sunday 5/24 – Woodbine Race 9

After a couple of winners at Santa Anita yesterday, we head to Woodbine for today’s race of the day. We are looking at race nine of a ten-race card as optional claimers will go seven furlongs on their main synthetic track.

Woodbine Race 9 – Allowance Optional Claiming

Favored in this optional claiming race is the 7 Ciunas (2/1 morning line). He races for the first time in 2026 having last raced in November here at Woodbine. Look for him to close in this race which is his modus operandi. He just missed last time out going two turns in the Lake Ontario Stakes.

The 1 Paynes Spirit (5/2 ML) has a race over the track so far in 2026 where he stalked the pace and just could not get by the winner. There is some speed in this race, so it looks like this gelding will be sitting right behind the leader today down the backstretch.

The 4 Next Pitch (6/1 ML) had the lead briefly in his 2026 debut three weeks ago but faded late to finish third. He had the lead briefly while five-wide in that race. Look for him to have a better performance as he gets his second race of the year today.

Tge 8 Gone With Duwyn (9/2 ML) is a three-year-old taking on older horses here. He finished fourth last time out as he was very wide but could not sustain his move. Expect an improvement on his debut in his second race this season.

Joe’s Pick

With some of these tracks that recently opened, you have to figure out if a horse can run fresh or not. Also, you have to figure if a horse needed that debut race of the second or this is what to expect from the horse.

In the case of Next Pitch, I think he will improve off of his performance. I think that he gets the trip behind the speed of this race and holds off the favorite Ciumas for the win.

I’m calling this race 4-7-1-8 and my play is $20 to win on the 4. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!