Quills Picks Winners – Thursday 9/17 – Churchill Downs Race 7

We head under the lights at Churchill Downs for today’s race of the day. We are looking at race seven of an eight-race card as a field of nine will go a mile and a sixteenth on the main track in this optional claiming race.

We have an interesting race on tap for our race today and hopefully we can get you the winner, even if it is not my selection.

Churchill Downs Race 7 – Allowance Optional Claiming

Favored in our featured race this evening is the 7 So Sandy (9/5 morning line). This four-year-old races for the second time this year after a long layoff and essentially went gate to wire in his return race at Ellis Park. The Pennsylvania Derby alum dueled for the lead last time out, but he could have some company on the front end here today.

The 8 Malarchuk (7/2 ML) comes in from Del Mar where she finished off the board in his first race in three months in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. He gets class relief here and does shorten up here. Expect him to be stalking the favorite here from the start, even as he shortens up in distance this afternoon.

The 5 No Bien Ni Mal (6/1 ML) races for the first time since April when he finished fourth in the Isaac Murphy Marathon during Kentucky Derby week here at Churchill. This looks like a race where he is preparing for potential longer races that may be on the docket for later on across the country. But his ridgling should have the ability to close her this afternoon.

The 1 Gould’s Gold (9/2 ML) races for the first time since July at Horseshoe Indianapolis, and races for the first time since being gelded. He finished second in the Schaefer Memorial last time out closing from the back of the pack in a short field. He probably has the strongest kick in this group today and hopes for a speed duel up front.

Joe’s Pick

I think there is enough speed in this race that this will hamper So Sandy’s chances here this evening. I think he is pestered enough by Malarchuk that the favorite could tire late in this race. This should open things up nicely for Gould’s Gold in his first race in two months this evening with his closing kick.

I’m calling this race 1-8-7-5 and my play is $20 to win on the 1. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!