Quills Picks Winners – Wednesday 9/23 – Churchill Downs Race 8

After a late night up north, we head down to Churchill Downs for today’s race of the day. In today’s race, a field of ten horses will go a mile and a sixteenth on the main track in an allowance race.

Churchill Downs Race 8 – Allowance

Favored in today’s race is the 9 Pagode (8/5 morning line). He races for the first time in three months after losing by a head in an allowance race. He showed he can close but has been very unlucky as he finished second in four races in a row and five out of six. Look for him to close, but can he finally get his head down first at the wire?

The 5 Penalty Box (4/1 ML) was on the lead at Ellis Park but could not hold on last month in an allowance race. He usually stalks but in a race without an obvious speed horse, it looks like this gelding is the speed in this race this afternoon.

The 10 Stellenbosch (8/1 ML) broke his maiden going longer in the slop at Ellis Park last month while wide on the final turn and in the stretch. He has some nice works since that race and could step up here in this race. But he does have that outside post today.

The 4 Gamblers Tail (12/1 ML) comes in from Horseshoe Indianapolis where he finished third last month. He does have the ability to close, but he might be a step slower than some of the other horses in this race.

Joe’s Pick

This race is a bit tricky because you have an obvious favorite in this race, but he has a severe case of seconditis. Pagode is probably going to win this race, but I want to try and beat him here.

I’ll go with Penalty Box here this afternoon. It’s almost hockey season, right? Okay seriously, he should be alone on the lead here and should be able to hold on this afternoon for the win despite the closers coming after him late.

I’m calling this race 5-10-9-4 and my play is $20 to win on the 5. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!