Quills Picks Winners – Thursday 6/25 – Churchill Downs Race 7
It’s the time of the year again. The summer solstice arrived a few days ago. The kids are out of school. Also, it’s the final Twilight Thursday of the Churchill Downs spring meet.
Their meet ends this weekend and we’ll take a look at the races there over the last few days, including Saturday’s Stephen Foster where we have a huge matchup among White Abarrio, Magnitude, Baeza and Sovereignty.
Today we will look at race seven of an eight-race card. Our race is an optional claiming race going six and a half furlongs on the main track. A field of 10 three-year-olds are entered in today’s featured race.
Churchill Downs Race 7 – Allowance Optional Claiming
Favored in this evening’s race is the 1 It’s Our Time (5/2 morning line). He races for the first time since November where he went for the lead and weakened in an optional claimer here at Churchill Downs. He changes barns since his last start and will race with Lasix for the first time. Look for him to take advantage of the rail draw, but there is a ton of speed in this race.
The 9 Blacksmith (9/2 ML) faced some of the top three-year-olds at the Fair Grounds in the Louisiana Derby in March, including the likes of Emerging Market and Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo. I am guessing they are getting him a race before the meet ends this weekend, but I can see him closing late here this afternoon.
The 6 Doublecents (5/1 ML) finished third last month here in an optional claiming race. He made a bid at the quarter pole but yielded late. This colt looks like he will be sitting right behind the speed this evening and looking to make a big move late.
The 4 Seventies Music (20/1 ML) did not show much going two turns for the first time at the end of Oaklawn’s meet. His two wins were in a matter of days of each other at the end of March and beginning of April. He closed well in both races but put up a bit of a dud in that two-turn optional claimer. This horse could be a longshot that hits the board if a meltdown scenario takes place.
Joe’s Pick
I think that It’s Our Time will be part of the speed in this race which may not be a good thing today. Look for the stalkers and closers to get involved late and look for Bob Baffert’s Blacksmith to get up late over Doublecents in this optional claimer.
I’m calling this race 9-6-4-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 9. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
