By Joe Quillen
We stay at Parx for Tuesday’s QPW, and we will be looking at race 6 once again. Weather will not be a factor today, but if you are looking at the whole card, they were off the turf yesterday. But this race today is a dirt race for three-year-old fillies going five and a half furlongs on the main track.
The 5 Duela Dent is the 2/1 morning line favorite here. She broke her maiden last time out in the mud at Pimlico 11 days ago. It appears that being on the front was the way to go at Pimlico that day just as it was this past weekend. He has been a filly that has gone for the lead since her debut last fall and will be going for the front again today.
She could have company right beside her on the inside with the 4 Diane’s Merlot (4/1 ML). She is another need the lead type horse and could be dueling with the favorite.
The 7 Ballintin (9/2 ML) could benefit from a speed duel here. She shortens up from 7 furlongs last time out and she will have her targets. She has improved since she came back to Parx from a trip to Turfway Park.
The 3 Honorable Chill (8/1 ML) broke her maiden last time out in March in a very slow race. This may have been a field of very bad horses, but I would also think the track is going to play a bit faster since the weather has warmed up in the Delaware Valley. If the latter is true, then she will be closing here.
Finally, a filly that I am interested in seeing if she bounces back is the 1 Namora (8/1 ML). She gets a major class drop here after facing state-bred stakes company. Does she win? Probably not but she could get third or fourth here.
I think that we will have a speed duel and Ballintin will win this from off the pace over Duela Dent. I’m calling this 7-5-3-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 7. Good luck everyone!
Check out my show “Also Eligible” on Saturday mornings at 10 am Eastern/7 am Pacific as AJ Johnson and I discuss the big races of the weekend, the latest news in horse racing and much more! Note that “Also Eligible” will return on Saturday June 1 after taking off this upcoming weekend.