After a win yesterday at Horseshoe Indy, we head to the bright lights of New York City for today’s QPW. We have a New York-bred race going nine furlongs on the inner turf today.
Note that since this is a state bred race, there is the distinct possibility that this race could be rained off the turf. If that is the case, then the also eligible horses on the outside come into play.
Belmont at the Big A Race 7 – John Hettinger Stakes
If this race is rained off the turf, especially since rain is in the forecast, then the 10 Sterling Silver (6/5 morning line) has a major advantage here. She is 4 for 8 on the dirt lifetime at Aqueduct, but she has never raced this far in his 25-race career.
The 11 Amanda’s Folly (10/1 ML) and the 12 Sweetest Princess (20/1 ML) are both outsiders, both in the gate as well as their odds. A horse that would have a great chance if this is on the main track is the 13 Cinderella’s Cause (5/1 ML) who has finished first or second in her last eight races.
The favorite amongst the turf entrants is the 3 Silver Skillet (2/1 ML). She tired in the Yaddo at Saratoga last month but has won both on the turf and dirt in her previous two races. She will probably go for the lead no matter what surface this race will be.
Next to her on the inside is the 2 Marvelous Maude (3/1 ML). she closed well while wide in the Yaddo last month. She will benefit from horses dueling on the lead and this race staying on the turf.
Can’t Fool Me (#5, 6/1 ML) did not fool many by winning an allowance race at Saratoga last month while running very wide. She has finished top two in each of her four races this year, but if the rain washes this off the turf, I don’t expect her to run.
The 7 Moonage Daydream (4/1 ML) stalked the pace and won the Yaddo last month. A similar trip should mean another win, but there will be other horses at or near the lead as well.
Joe’s Pick
Since it has rained in the Mid-Atlantic area on Wednesday and rain is in the forecast, I will make this a conditional pick. If this stays on the turf, let’s call this 3-2-5-7. If it is off the turf, then it goes 13-3-10. Whether it is the 3 on the turf or the 13 on the dirt, the play is $20 to win on that horse. Best of luck everyone!
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