By Joe Quillen
Will Rogers Downs Race 7 – Highland Ice Stakes
We stay in the Sooner State of Oklahoma for another edition of Quills Picks Winners as we will look at their stakes race that they have today, the Highland Ice Stakes. We have three-year-olds and up going six furlongs on the main track here. Post time is for approximately 4:57 pm Eastern time at the Claremont, Oklahoma oval.
Drawing the rail, just like he did in the TRAO Classic Sprint Stakes is the 1 Connors Outlaw who is the 5/2 morning line favorite for today’s race. His modus operandi is the same in every race he is entered. He will go for the lead and play catch me if you can. Nobody was able to catch up to him on a track that the Daily Racing Form indicated favored closers as he drew off on the front end to win by almost six lengths.
The favorite could have a ton of speed to deal with as they race down the backstretch today. The 2 Therideofalifetime (3/1 ML) came in from Oaklawn to win three weeks ago here at Will Rogers, but only had to beat three other horses in this starter allowance. He will have seven other horses to face today, and also potentially contend with a third horse on the front end.
That third horse that could be gunning for the lead is the 4 Jackman (also 3/1 ML) who comes in after dueling for the lead last time out over a muddy track at Oaklawn. He won the battle between the other dueling horses, but lost the war of the race as a longshot came flying through a huge hole to win. Could this scenario set up again with the amount of speed signed on to run today?
A candidate to be the beneficiary of a meltdown on the front end is the 8 Midnight Pranks (10/1 ML) who was bumped at the start of the race, was five to six wide down the backstretch and on the turn and still drew off to win by six open lengths. He will definitely enjoy seeing targets to pass as they come down the stretch today.
The 3 C W Prize (8/1 ML) is third race off of the layoff and he moved up to finished third as Connors Outlaw pulled away from the field. If this speed duel develops, don’t be surprised if he runs like his March 4 return to the races. He has a nice closing kick that could be flying at the end for a price.
The 7 Rockin the Dad Bod (20/1 ML) returns after a six-month layoff and has been working well at Will Rogers firing a couple of bullets (i.e. fastest workout at a distance for a particular day) leading up to today’s race. He won the Iowa Breeders’ Derby at 51/1 odds going two turns, but he has been a closer in six-furlong races. He should get a piece here.
I think this race is screaming a closer and screaming a longshot here. I’ve been picking a ton of favorites lately, but that doesn’t influence today’s pick. I’ll take Midnight Pranks over C W Prize. I think Jackmanb will be the horse that wins the duel but doesn’t win the race. Let’s call this 8-3-4-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 8. Good luck everyone, and we will be back from more familiar surroundings.
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