Quills Picks Winners – Thursday 10/1 – Belmont Park Races 6 & 8

If you catch my Saturday show Also Eligible, the focus of the last month or two has been on the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races. Today, we will look at two of those races that were rescheduled as the result of last weekend’s nor’easter that hit the eastern part of the United States.

We are looking at two races this afternoon. We will look at the Grade 3 Vosburgh, which runs in race six. A field of nine will sprint seven furlongs with an invite to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on the line.

Then we look at the finale on the Thursday card, as 11 fillies and mares will go a mile and a quarter in the Grade 2 Flower Bowl. The winner of this race gets an entry into the Filly & Mare Turf.

With that, let’s take a look at these two races today.

Belmont Park Race 6 – Vosburgh Stakes (Grade 3)

Favored in the Vosburgh is the 8 Senior Officer (2/1 morning line). He stalked the pace in the Grade 1 Forego and could not get by the winner in his first attempt against graded stakes company. He should be positioned nicely to make a move as they turn for home. Note he was wide at Saratoga, but the Belmont turns are wider and can be more forgiving than other tracks.

The 3 Doc Sullivan (8/1 ML) closed strongly in an allowance race, finishing second by a nose despite tossing his head at the break. He may be more suited for New York bred company, but he does have a closing kick that can benefit from the Belmont stretch made slightly longer after the track renovations.

The 9 Crazy Mason (5/1 ML) closed in the Grade 1 Forego and finished fourth in a blanket finish last time out. He is also a closer but has not had the luck to get up in his im his four races this year. He should have the set up here to get up late today.

The 5 Moonlight (6/1 ML) comes in from Del Mar where be made a wide rally in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien finishing second by half a length. His closing kick should benefit from a much longer stretch than the one “Where The Turf Meets The Surf”.

Joe’s Vosburgh Pick

We have speed in this race, we have a favorite who will sit right behind them and a few closers. Senior Officer will have first chance to pass the leaders, but I think Moonlight will get up late and get the berth into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

I’m calling this race 5-8-9-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 5.

Belmont Park Race 8 – Flower Bowl Stakes (Grade 2)

We skip ahead to finale on today’s card and fillies and mares will look to get an invite to the Filly and Mare Turf at Keeneland at the end of the month.

Favored is the 9 Kathynmarissa (7/5 ML). who on the Grade 1 Diana Stakes over yielding turf in mid-July. She can be closer to the pace or further back, but she will make a late run, which resulted in three wins in her last four races.

The 10 Cathedral (9/2 ML) was near the pace and tired in the Diana. She changed barns after that race to Chad Brown’s stable and fired a bullet two weeks ago at Saratoga in her return race today. She does have the tendency to tire late, but could that be solved with new connections?

The 3 Sunlight Uplands (6/1 ML) finished second by a neck in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at the end of August. She was forced wide, or herded as they say in the program, and could not get by the winner that day. She was impeded in the stretch and may have won with a cleaner trip.

The 6 Fionn (12/1 ML) had a great three-year-old season but her current season has not gone well. She finished off the board in both tries this year, but she does have the ability to bounce back here today. If she is right, she will be closing today.

Joe’s Flower Bowl Pick

The favorite Kathynmarissa is the best horse here in the race and should be getting up here late for the win. Sunlight Uplands will try to get up late, but the favorite will hold on to win.

I’m calling this race 9-3-10-6 and my play is $20 to win on the 9. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!