Quills Picks Winners – Tuesday 9/15 – Assiniboia Downs Race 6
It’s Tuesday and that means we head north of the border to Assiniboia Downs for this evening’s featured race. The race tonight is race six on a seven-race card as fillies and mares will go a mile and an eighth in the Manitoba Matron Stakes.
A field of seven fillies and mares will go the nine furlongs this evening. Note that with the configuration of the race track, it will be close to three furlongs before they reach the first turn here at AsD.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the race.
Assiniboia Downs Race 6 – Manitoba Matron Stakes
Favored in the Manitoba Matron is the 2 Dontgiveupthefight (4/5 morning line). She returns from a trip out west to Century Mile where she finished second in the Northlands Distaff Handicap. She was wide, especially on the first turn but was no match for the winner last time out. She returns home where she should be near the pace this evening.
The 7 Yankee Doodle (4/1 ML) finished second to the favorite in the Escape Clause Stakes here at Assiniboia Downs last month. She woke up that right and may have benefitted from stretching to a mile that night. She will stretch out further to tonight’s distance which should give her a great chance, especially if she can close like he did last time out.
The 6 Welcometohollywood (8/1 ML) finished second in this race last year and will look to hold on to the lead this time. It might be tough as she will go for the lead and will get pressured by the favorite on the inside.
The 4 Bartender (5/1 ML) was game in defeat in the Century Casino Oaks at Century Mile last month. She was very wide both down the backstretch and the final turn which may have sapped some of her energy late. She is a closer and would benefit from a hot pace here as she returns to Assiniboia Downs tonight.
Joe’s Pick
Bartender may be facing older fillies and mares for the first time tonight, but she does fit here. She already has a win going a mile here at Assiniboia in the Manitoba Oaks about six weeks ago. Look for her to sit back and as long as she is not wide on these turns at AsD, she should get up late for an upset win.
I’m calling this race 4-2-7-6 and my play is $20 to win in the 4. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
