$1 Million Pennsylvania Derby Offers Breeders’ Cup Implications

Further Ado was brilliant in winning the Matt Winn Stakes in June at Churchill Downs

Coady photography Julie Clark

The grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby has become one of the most important “later” races in the three-year-old division. Attracting some of the best Triple Crown runners along with other later developing sophomores, this mile and an eighth race has become a pathway to the Breeders’ Cup and year-end honors. The Keystone state’s most important race took on even more importance when the purse was elevated to a cool $1 million in 2007. This year’s event once again has attracted top talent including Kentucky Derby post-time favorite Further Ado from the Brad Cox barn. Will any of the eleven entrants be able to eclipse the mercurial Bayern and his record time (1:46.96) in 2014 as he prepared to later win the Breeders’ Cup Classic? Can any of this year’s runners come close to Western Playboy’s immaculate win by 17 lengths in 1989? Let’s take a look at the eleven entrants and provide a thought on each. The runners will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line odds. The Pennsylvania Derby is the highlight of a day that features eight Stakes races on September 19. It is carded as race 14 at PARX in Bensalem, Pennsylvania with an expected post time of 5:48 pm eastern time.

1 Zihnal

Trainer: Johnathan Thomas

Jockey: John Velazquez

Odds: 8-1

Stalked early and then ran away late in winning the West Virginia Derby by 6 ¼ lengths in his last start. Finished fourth in the Indiana Derby in his previous outing and this son of Quality Road will be making his sixth career start at a fifth different track. Looks to be on the improve and could be a factor.

2 Iron Honor

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Odds: 5-1

Won first two starts of his career including Gotham Stakes. Finished second in the Preakness and battled to finish third in the Haskell Stakes in his last start. Has run well against good company and gets one of the hottest jocks in the irons. Son of Nyquist has been in the top three in four of five career starts and should be right there again.

3 Our Moneyman

Trainer: Brett Calhoun

Jockey: Manny Franco

Odds: 8-1

Louisiana-bred son of Mr. Money has three wins in nine career starts but has been in the top three in every trip to the starting gates. Was a closing second in the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs in June and lost by a neck to Travers champ Leading Change in the Indiana Derby in his last start. Our upset special in this one and an across the board play for sure.

4 Igniter

Trainer: Rick Dutrow

Jockey: Luis Saez

Odds: 8-1

Only finish out of the top three in eight career starts was at this distance. Won the Ellis Park Derby at one mile in his last start on August 9. Rider makes any horse capable, but this one may present a challenge at 9 furlongs. We are looking elsewhere.

5 Talk To Me Jimmy

Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez

Jockey: Ruben Silvera

Odds:12-1

Normally a front-end speed horse, this New York-bred son of Modernist will impact the race by setting or pressing the early pace. Won the Withers Stakes at this distance by 11 lengths back in February. Two starts ago was victorious in the New York Derby at Finger Lakes. A horse for your superfecta at a price.

6 The Puma

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Odds: 4-1

Son of Essential Quality is known as a runner that always shows up. Won the Tampa Bay Derby and just missed in the Florida Derby. Injury sidelined him and he missed the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown races. Returned to finish fourth in the Haskell and Travers Stakes. He will get some play here partly because of his name, but not our top pick. One for your exotic wagers.

7 Further Ado

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Odds: 2-1

Son of Gun Runner has been brilliant at times. His wins in the Blue Grass Stakes and Matt Winn Stakes were super impressive while his 11^th place finish in the Kentucky Derby and 5^th in the Haskell were a bit lackluster. Depending on who shows up, with Further Ado we may be wowed again. The horse to beat without question.

8 Freedom’s Echo

Trainer: Guadalupe Preciado

Jockey: Mychal Sanchez

Odds: 20-1

Son of Independence Hall has made five of six career starts at PARX with two wins. First graded Stakes try and also first time stretching out to this distance. Big step up in company and not anywhere on our radar.

9 Sassmaster

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Tyler Gafflione

Odds: 10-1

Lightly raced son of Curlin that has only been out in the afternoon three times, but has won the last two with the latest being at this distance. First try in Stakes company, but his conditioner has a way of bringing out the best in horses on days like this. An interesting price play for sure and one for your superfecta.

10 Micanopy

Trainer: Michael Simone

Jockey: Paco Lopez

Odds: 15-1

Won the local prep for this race on August 18 when he bested five others by a length and a half in the Smarty Jones. Has three wins and a second in last four starts and this son of Uncle Chuck gets a rider that ain’t scared and can win on any horse. Might be worth considering for a superfecta price play.

11 Ponder and Dream

Trainer: Robert Reid

Jockey : Mychal Sanchez

Odds: 20-1

Hometown boy as this Pennsylvania-bred has ran nine of ten career starts here at Parx and has been in the top three in all nine with three wins. To Ponder of a win and Dream of glory is a given, but making it happen on the track is a little different. A price play for the superfecta.