Quills Picks Winners – Sunday 8/2 – Woodbine Race 8
After some tough luck in some of the races yesterday, we head north to Woodbine for today’s race of the day. We have an optional claiming race on the inner turf going seven and a half furlongs.
I have to get used to saying inner turf and outer turf at Woodbine as the main outer turf course will be available this year for the first time this year after a long renovation project. The E.P. Taylor turf course will be used for the first time on Saturday, August 8.
But until then we have a race to handicap today on the inner turf.
Woodbine Race 8 – Allowance Optional Claiming
Nine horses are entered in today’s race. Favored is the 4 William T (2/1 morning line) who will run on the grass for the first time in his career. He closed well going seven furlongs on the main Tapeta surface here last month, finishing second. He should be able to transition to the turf here. Look for him to be making a move late today.
The 2 Chaos Agent (7/2 ML) returns to the races for the first time since March. He was pulled up in the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. He did win his debut on the synthetic at Gulfstream Park in February who that gives up for the transition to the turf. But the pedigree does not scream turf.
The 8 Golden Truth (8/1 ML) finished third in an optional claimer here at Woodbine last month, losing second late in that mile race on the grass. He has run well in his four turf races, but he has yet to get to the winner’s circle.
The 1 Maker’s Flatter (10/1 ML) stumbled at the break but took over at the top of the stretch and won going away by almost eight lengths in a maiden optional claiming race. He is not in that tough of a field here so he could repeat here at a price.
Joe’s Pick
I am not sold on the favorite here this afternoon. I am not sure if he will take to the turf. I will let Chaos Agent beat me after he left Turfway Park on an equine ambulance. I’ll go with Maker’s Flatter in an upset here. He should be able to get the trip again today and close late for the win.
I’m calling this race 1-8-4-2. I’ll play a $20 win wager on the 1, and I’ll also play a $1 superfecta key 1 over 2, 4 and 8 which will cost $6 as well. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
