Quills Picks Winners – Thursday 4/23 – Gulfstream Park Race 7

After a tough beat at Parx yesterday, we head down I-95 to Gulfstream Park for their featured race of the day. Today’s race is a starter allowance optional claiming event going five furlongs on the Tapeta surface.

Gulfstream Park Race 7 – Starter Allowance Optional Claiming

Favored in today’s featured race is the 7 Rachel’s Coach (3/1 morning line). He went gate to wire to win this race last month here at Gulfstream. He has the speed to go gate to wire if he needs to do so, but he can also stalk the pace like he did two races back. There is other speed in this race, so it would be interesting to see where he is when they go down the backstretch.

The 8 Surf’s Up (7/2 ML) will be right to the favorite’s outside. He failed to menace last month in his first race in about 10 weeks. He likes being on the lead and could be part of a massive speed duel if it develops.

The 9 Three Zero (4/1 ML) stalked while three-wide last time and closed well to miss by only half a length last month. He returns today with potentially a stalking trip and could take things at the end here.

The 3 Nic’s Bro (6/1 ML) appears to be the closer in the race. He made a belated run to finish third last month, but he did win two races back while angling out to close to win. If the speed duel does develop, he might be winning at a nice price.

Joe’s Pick

We have a bunch of horses that want to go for the lead here. Unless something weird happens at the start of the race, there is going to be a speed duel. The question is whether or not Rachel’s Coach and Surf’s Up can stalk. I lean more towards the favorite there.

But I am going to go with the stalker here in Three Zero. As long as he is not insanely wide on that turn, he should be in good shape. I’m giving him the nod over a fast closing Nic’s Bro today.

I’m calling this race 9-3-7-8 and my play is $20 to win on the 9. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!