Quills Picks Winners – Tuesday 8/20 – Finger Lakes Race 8

After last night’s late-night win at Assiniboia Downs, I have made the executive decision to steer clear of tonight’s DRF’s Race of the Day of a five-horse field at Assiniboia for a larger field. I have chosen for the second time go give everyone the Finger (Finger Lakes that is) as today’s QPW will be the eighth and penultimate race on their Tuesday card. Post time for today’s featured race of nine horses is set for approximately 4:23 pm Eastern Time.

Favored in today’s race is the 7 Enticing Prospect (3/1 morning line) who closed well to finish second last time out on the slop in this same allowance condition of non-winners of two races lifetime. This was the first race that he did not have trouble running in a race and could be in position to win this race today.

The 9 Sharp Play Boy (7/2 ML) was close to the pace two weeks ago at Finger Lakes and held on to break his maiden finally after 15 tries. He won on the front end last time out, but he may be a few lengths of the lead in some of his races that he did hit the board.

Finger Lakes

Whether or not Sharp Play Boy goes for the lead, we could have a speed duel up front among the 2 Smile Takes Charge (8/1 ML), the 3 Benji Brown (15/1 ML) and the 5 Five Aces (12/1 ML). If that happens, we could be looking at a great set up for the closers.

The 4 Profitability (4/1 ML) has that opportunity today after closing well despite getting bounced around at the start of the race. If he has a clean start, he could potentially be stalking right behind a potential speed duel looking to pound as the dueling leaders start to tire.

The 1 Gold Templar (10/1 ML) tired badly in his last two races on the turf at Aqueduct, and then back on the dirt at Finger Lakes. This horse should improve going back to a sprint here where he broke his maiden four back and a respectable fourth facing winners for the first time.

Finger Lakes

If this speed duel develops, it will come down to the favorite Enticing Prospect and Profitability. Like I said a few paragraphs before, I think Profitability could have the first chance to pass the leaders in the stretch. I think he will do that and hold off Enticing Prospect in the end. Let’s Call this race 4-7-2-9 and my play is $20 to win on the 4. Good luck everyone!

QPW Update Desk

  • Arabian Knight, Bob Baffert’s colt who won last year’s Pacific Classic as a three-year-old who returned to the races last month finishing fourth in the San Diego Handicap last month has been retired from racing.
  • Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna drew the rail for Saturday’s Travers Stakes in a field of eight runners. Belmont and Haskell winner Dornoch is the 5/2 morning line favorite. Thorpedo Anna is co-second choice with Fierceness, the Jim Dandy winner at 3/1 odds. The 13th of 14 races on the card will be on Fox and post time is set for approximately 6:10 pm Eastern Time.

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