We closed out the summer season at Saratoga with a win in the Hopeful Stakes, and now we head west on I-90 to Finger Lakes for today’s QPW. We will take a look at their seventh race, which is a New York-bred allowance race going five and a half furlongs on the main track. Post time is set for approximately 3:54 pm Eastern time.
Finger Lakes Race 7
We have seven horses entered, but we have the rare coupled entry here as the 1 Graywing and the 1A Sigalert (7/2 morning line) are coupled for wagering purposes here at Finger Lakes today.
The 1 Graywing finished third in the first race off of a three-month layoff in an off the turf race. He should be close to the pace and looking go take over in the stretch. His entry mate Sigalert draws the outside in his second race off of a four-month layoff after being claimed at Sunland Park in New Mexico. He could have a similar trip.
Favored in this afternoon’s race is the 2 C J’s Grand Slam who draws the rail and will gun for the lead. He has not been able to hold the leads he had on the front end this year in his four races at Finger Lakes.
C J’s Grand Slam should have company from the start from the 4 Production Credit (6/1 ML) and the 6 Sharpaz (5/2 ML). If we do get the speed duel that I am expecting here, things could set up nicely for the other horses in this race.
The most likely horse to benefit from a duel up front is the 3 Noble Journey (5/1 ML). He was five-wide when he last ran at the end of June and missed by less than a length. He closed well in two of his three races this year and has run well first race off of a layoff.
Finally, the 5 He’sgottashortfuse (8/1 ML) is three for five lifetime at this distance so that is a major plus. However, he has had two poor performances in August and turns a week after a poor performance against weaker competition.
Joe’s selection for today’s race from Finger Lakes
I’m tempted to take advantage of the coupled entry and just say play the entry place, especially if you think they can finish one-two here. But I like Noble Journey more and think he will benefit the most from a hot pace up front. Let’s call this 3-1-1A-2 and my play is $20 to win on the 3. Good luck everyone!
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