The Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing drew a robust area of 11, with seven entrants having gained a stakes race so far. Main that group are Stronghold, who gained the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in April, and Seize the Gray, winner of the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes in Might. Nevertheless, Seize the Gray has completed seventh and fourth since then whereas Stronghold completed seventh and second since his win at this high stage.
The Pennsylvania Derby entrant in one of the best present type is Dragoon Guard, having gained the Grade 3 Indiana Derby in July adopted by a victory within the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby in August. Dragoon Guard is educated by Brad Cox, who gained the 2023 Pennsylvania Derby with Saudi Crown. Protecting is the one different horse within the area to come back into this race off a win. It was a maiden win 4 weeks in the past at Saratoga, however it should be famous the colt completed third within the Grade 2 Wooden Memorial Stakes Offered by Resorts World On line casino in April whereas nonetheless winless and adopted that up with a third-place end within the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes in Might. Unmatched Knowledge gained the Curlin Stakes in July earlier than a seventh-place end within the Grade 1 DraftKings Travers Stakes final month. Doc Sullivan has gained 4 of 9 races, together with the Mike Lee Stakes for New York-breds in June. Uncle Heavy gained the Withers Stakes on the distance of the Pennsylvania Derby in February, however solely has a third-place effort as his greatest putting in 4 races since then. Lonesome Boy gained the non-graded Metropolis of Brotherly Love Stakes on this monitor in March however has run poorly in three races since then. Timeout was third behind Unmatched Knowledge within the Curlin Stakes two months in the past then second in his most up-to-date race and seems to be enhancing. Simply Step On It has gained three of 11 and was just lately second within the Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx Racing 4 weeks in the past. Who’s the King rounds out the sector, with a 1-for-11 document whereas working in a stakes race for the primary time.
Important win contenders:
Within the 2023 Pennsylvania Derby, Saudi Crown, educated by Brad Cox, set the tempo and led from begin to end below jockey Florent Geroux, successful by a half-length because the betting favourite. This 12 months, Cox brings Dragoon Guard into the race because the possible betting favourite, with the identical working model and the identical jockey aboard. Nevertheless, completely different than final 12 months, when Saudi Crown entered the race off a runner-up effort, Dragoon Guard enters the race looking for his fifth straight win, the final two in comparable stakes races. Dragoon Guard gained the Indiana Derby on the primary weekend in July, main in hand and steadily growing his margin to the end line, incomes a 106 Equibase Pace Determine within the course of. 4 weeks later, utilizing the identical ways, Dragoon Guard as soon as once more set a measured tempo and prolonged his margin within the stretch with an analogous 105 velocity determine. Contemplating the make-up of this race, not one of the horses inside Dragoon Guard within the beginning gate are anticipated to problem for the early lead. It will as soon as once more give Geroux the chance to place this long-striding, grey colt on the entrance finish from the place he can get into a gentle rhythm and never be caught. That is notably true for the reason that West Virginia Derby was the primary time Dragoon Guard ran the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Pennsylvania Derby. As such, Dragoon Guard seems to be the one to catch, and to beat, on this area.
Unmatched Knowledge gained the primary three races of his profession starting in Might by way of July, culminating with a victory within the Curlin Stakes on the distance of the Pennsylvania Derby. That effort earned Unmatched Knowledge a career-best 107 Equibase Pace Determine actually as quick as the 2 greatest figures of 106 and 105 that Dragoon Guard has earned so far. In his solely begin since, attempting 1 ¼ miles for the primary time within the Travers Stakes 4 weeks in the past, Unmatched Knowledge was bumped firstly and by no means acquired close to the entrance as he had in all three earlier races. Moreover, a wrapping on one in every of his legs got here unfastened and was flapping behind him, which may have been one more reason he ended up seventh of eight and badly crushed. Not solely ought to the reduce in distance to 1 1/8 miles assist him, however Unmatched Knowledge is reunited with jockey Flavien Prat, who was aboard for all three of the colts wins however not the defeat final month. Yet another attention-grabbing word is that coach Chad Brown gained the 2016 Pennsylvania Derby with Join, who completed sixth within the Travers the earlier month.
Timeout has by no means completed farther again then third in 5 races, successful as soon as. That effort got here at this 1 1/8-mile journey in June. He adopted it up with a career-best effort and 101 Equibase Pace Determine when third behind Unmatched Knowledge within the Curlin Stakes in July. In his most up-to-date race, Timeout closed nicely from fourth, and 6 ½ lengths again, within the early levels to complete second by a half-length. This well-bred son of Curlin is educated by Invoice Mott, who gained the 2011 Pennsylvania Derby with a horse popping out of an allowance race at Saratoga … the identical as Timeout. So, it might behoove us to provide this colt a glance when contemplating who has an opportunity to win.
Honorable point out goes to Stronghold, who completed seventh within the Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve after successful the Santa Anita Derby in April. Stronghold enters the race off a good second to Dragoon Guard. Whereas no match for that colt within the stretch, the 102 velocity determine was a career-best. Protecting was so extremely regarded that whilst a maiden he ran within the Wooden Memorial Stakes, Peter Pan Stakes, and Belmont Stakes this previous spring. He earned a 99 velocity determine within the Peter Pan when third and an analogous 97 determine when incomes his first win in his most up-to-date begin. Protecting is one other that might be an element for a minor award. Doc Sullivan is an especially constant colt who has completed first or second in eight of 9 races. All however one got here in opposition to New York-breds solely, however he gained his solely begin in opposition to non-restricted firm and when attempting 1 1/8 miles for the primary time final month ran nicely to be second with a 97 determine. His odds could also be excessive, and as such he could be a horse we should contemplate for any exactas we play on this race.
The remainder of the sector (with greatest Equibase Pace Determine): Simply Step On It (101), Lonesome Boy (91), Seize the Gray (101), Uncle Heavy (98) and Who’s the King (95).
Win contenders in chance order:
Dragoon Guard
Unmatched Knowledge
Timeout
