With 12 horses signed on to contest the 1 1/2-mile grass race, trainer Chad Brown will saddle two of the top three betting choices, led by 3/1 morning line favorite Danza Cavallo. Since coming to the United States from her native France last November, the four year-old filly has acquitted herself nicely, running second in the Grade 3 Long Island Handicap, and beginning her 2015 campaign with a victory in Keeneland allowance race. In her last start, Danza Cavallo was far from disgraced in defeat, finishing fifth, beaten just shy of two lengths in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes May 25 at Santa Anita. Since that effort, she appears to be working nicely at Saratoga and will again receive the services of Irad Ortiz – the only U.S. jockey to have ridden her.
Brown will also send out 5/1 shot Goldy Espony, winner of the River Memories Stakes July 5 at Belmont in her last start. The four year-old gray or roan daughter of Vespone has won 5 of 11 starts and will break from the rail under Kendrick Carmouche.
Queen’s Parade (4/1) and Kitten’s Point (6/1) both exit the Grade 3 Robert. G Dick Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park July 11 where they finished second and third respectively. Both horses have proven capable of winning the Waya with a top effort.
The Grade 2 $1.25 million Pennsylvania Derby features the two biggest names from the Triple Crown trail September 24 at Parx as a field of 12 gathers in one of the most intriguing betting races of the year.
The $1 million Cotillion Stakes September 24 at Parx features a true clash of the titans as the six-horse field is headlined by the undefeated, five-time grade 1 winner Songbird who figures to face the most stern challenge of her career.
In a completely wide open renewal of the Presque Isle Mile September 18 at Presque Isle Downs, 13 runners including the also-eligible will contest the eight furlong trip over synthetic footing.
Champion Songbird is set to make her much-anticipated return to the races in the $200,000 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on Saturday. The Grade 2 event will be run at a mile and a sixteenth and has attracted a field of seven.
Leave a comment