Quills Picks Winners – Thursday 7/2 – Colonial Downs Race 7
Once again, we are affected by the heat today as the heat dome has taken control of the eastern half of the United States. Colonial Downs, like Delaware Park yesterday, chose to start early both yesterday and today in hopes of getting their card in before the hottest temperatures settle into that area of Virginia.
Today we will look at race seven of an eight-race card. Here we have 12 three-year-old fillies going a mile on the inner turf course today. Note with the first post of 10:45 am, this race is scheduled for a 1:33 pm post time, probably three hours earlier if the temperatures were not as extremely hot as they will be today.
Colonial Downs Race 7 – Allowance
Favored in our featured race this afternoon is the 1 Mia Familia (7/2 morning line). She finished second on Gulfstream Park’s Tapeta surface in the Martha Washington Stakes. She closed well but was outkicked at the finish last time out. Her lone win was on the turf course, and she has run well on the turf previously.
The 5 Screen Test (5/1 ML) races for the first time since October where she showed nothing in an allowance at Keeneland. She might not have lights the “good” turf surface that day. With the heat the way it is, we are guaranteed a firm turf course which should help her for her 2026 debut. She races for a trainer that does win with horses coming off of layoffs this long and gets Lasix for the first time today.
The 9 Connect the Stars (5/1 ML) saved ground last month but could not get anything going in an optional claiming race last month. She has faced graded stakes company as well and showed nothing but almost won the ungraded Sanibel Island at Gulfstream at March. She has a strong closing kick but has to show she can close here today.
The 7 Daddario (8/1 ML) finished third in a starter allowance at Churchill Downs at the end of April closing well in that race. She returns today with an opportunity to close here again this afternoon. Look for that in her first race off of the short break.
Joe’s Pick
Mia Familia and Connect the Starts have had some success in stakes company and should be two of the horses that will be most prominent in this large field. Let’s take Mia Familia to close late to get the job done here today.
I’m calling this race 1-9-7-5 and my play is $20 to win on the 1. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
