After a successful return to Keeneland yesterday, we stay at Keeneland for today’s QPW. We have 11 horses entered in today’s feature, the Sycamore Stakes. These horses will go a mile and a half on the turf course in this Grade 3 race.
Keeneland Race 9 – Sycamore Stakes (Grade 3)
Favored in today’s race is the 11 Bold Act (3/1 morning line). He comes back from a four-month layoff here after closing to finish third at Churchill. He’s been training on the turf to prepare for today’s comeback race. He will need some speed up front to help him here as he is a stone cold closer.
The 7 Tawny Port (6/1 ML) will be closer to the pace than the favorite. He closed willingly on the hilly turf course at Kentucky Downs last month and should be very fit for this race.
The 3 Highway Robber (9/2 ML) closed well in the Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes at Kentucky Downs last month finishing as the runner up. He used the same tactics to win the Preview Turf Cup at Ellis Park the month prior. He will be closing like the favorite.
The 4 Dataman (8/1 ML) was blocked in the stretch last month at Kentucky Downs. A clearer run in the stretch could give him an opportunity to win this race at a very nice price.
Joe’s pick
This race is setting up nicely for the closers here. The 2 Cathkin Peak (15/1 ML) was on the lead in the John’s Call at Saratoga, so he could be a candidate to be up front. The 9 Sugoi (10/1 ML) has consistently been up front and tired in the Arlington Million back in August in his last race.
Tawny Port will have first run at the leaders, but the question is whether or not he will be able to sustain that run with the deep closers that will be flying at the end here. I’ll take Highway Robber to win here over Bold Act.
I will call this race 3-11-7-4 and my play is $20 to win on the 3. Best of luck everyone!
Saturday’s Also Eligible
Saturday we will be looking at the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland. We also take a trip to Aqueduct for the Sands Point Stakes (race 5) and Floral Park Stakes (race 7). Post time for Saturday’s show is at 10 am Eastern time.
Check out my stream “The Joe Quills Show” on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 9 pm Eastern and Wednesday nights at 10 pm Eastern on my Twitch, X and YouTube talking about the latest sports news and whatever comes up. Also, catch my horse racing show every Saturday at 10 am Eastern on the Bleacher Brothers platforms.