Quills Picks Winners – Wednesday 8/5 – Saratoga Race 9
We head over to Saratoga where they have a big week which for us will culminate with the Whitney Stakes which we will preview on Also Eligible on Saturday morning. But we still have a few days to go so we will look at some of the races at Saratoga leading up to a big Saturday of racing.
We will start today with the Johnstone Stakes. Here we have New York-bred fillies and mares going seven furlongs on the main track. Eight horses are entered in today’s featured race.
Saratoga Race 9 – Johnstone Stakes
Favored in today’s race is the 6 Usha (6/5 morning line). She comes in from Churchill Downs where she faded in the Grade 2 Chicago Stakes. She is a Grade 1 winner to drops in class into this state bred race. This looks like a “get right” race and a prep race potentially another race here at Saratoga towards the end of the meet.
The 3 Munnings Express (8/1 ML) finished third in an optional claiming race here at Saratoga. She can go for the lead and stalk. There is a ton of other speed in this race so there may be a decision that needs to be made as soon as the gates open.
The 5 With the Angels (7/2 ML) finished fourth on the grass at Aqueduct at the end of June. She may not be as fast as the other horses in this race today at the start so she will need to be moving late if she wants to win today.
The 7 Iron Orchard (8/1 ML) races for the second time off of a long layoff and will look to get back on track. She did win the Grade 1 Frizette last fall closing for the win. She got bumped around at the start of the Grade 3 Victory Ride last month in her return and tired. Look for her to improve off of that race.
Joe’s Pick
I think this is all about Usha today. There is a ton of speed and she has shown she can win from off the pace like she did in the Grade 1 La Brea at the end of last year. As long as she does not get sucked into the speed duel, she should win for fun here.
I’m calling this race 6-7-3-5 and my play is $20 to win on the 6. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
