By Joe Quillen
Sunday 1/14/24 – Santa Anita Race 7
We return to the Great Race Place for Sunday’s QPW as we will look at Sunday’s race 7. We’re back on the hillside turf course for the Grade 3 Las Cienegas going about six and a half furlongs. We have 11 fillies and mares entered in the main body of the field as well as an “also eligible”, which will be eligible to run if one of the first 11 horses in the program are scratched.
It appears that the 5 Kissed by Fire (8/1 morning line), the 9 Elm Drive (5/2 morning line favorite) and the 11 Gracelund Gray (8/1 ML) will be dueling for the lead as they come down the hill. Remember, Graceland Gray is probably at the worst post at the start of this race as these fillies and mares make a slight right turn at the start of the race.
If Elm Drive is a little bit behind the other 2 front runners like she was in the Grace 1 Matriarch last time out, then she will win. But that was a rare race that was was not on the lead.
The 7 Wakanaka (3/1 ML) should be ready to pounce as they approach the crossover point where they go from the grass of the hillside course to the main track to re-enter the main turf course. If she has no issues with the chaos that usually happens at this part of the race, she wins this, which is what I think will happen. The 3 Nadette (5/1 ML) has an explosive kick to just miss last time out at Del Mar in November. She benefits from the fast pace as well.
Honey Pants (#2, 6/1 odds) was in tight at the quarter pole at Del Mar and if she does not have any traffic issues, she has a chance to steal this.
I’m calling this race 7-3-2-9 in the Las Cienegas, and my play is $20 to win on the 7. Good luck everyone and catch you tomorrow with another Quills Picks Winners.
QPW Update Desk
- Rose Maddox took the lead at the top of the stretch and held off my selection Stay and Scam who closed on the outside, and Chancery Way who was inside my selection in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. Backers of Rose Maddox got a $4.40 return on their wagers.
- The favored Kings River Knight ($4.20 to win) went start to finish to win the Unusual Head Turf Classic Saturday over a fast closing Carmelita’s Man and my selection Aligato.
- Tuesday’s article is up in the air at the moment since there is potential for snow here in the Philadelphia area, potentially cancelling the races at Parx. Louisiana Downs already cancelled their quarterhorse card on Tuesday due to impending winter weather. The only other thoroughbred track running on Tuesday is Mahoning Valley in Youngstown, OH. Keep an eye out, as I might have to get creative with my Tuesday QPW.
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