Despite a short field of five, three of the starters appear to be serious up-and-comers in the three year-old division led by the 9/5 morning line favorite Two Weeks Off. Trained by Todd Pletcher Two Weeks Off finished his two year-old campaign August 30 with a maiden special weight victory at Saratoga and did not return to racing until April 4 at Keeneland where the son of Harlan’s Holiday posted an impressive 6 ¼ length victory in a seven furlong allowance race while earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 104. Two Weeks Off will be racing past seven furlongs for the first time in his career, but is well-bred to handle the extra distance and gets the support of Pletcher who boasts a 25% winning clip with runners transitioning from a sprint to a route.
The Bob Baffert trained Wolf Man Rocket was still a maiden before shipping to Oaklawn April 11 to win the $100,000 Northern Spur Stakes at a mile. As a son of Mineshaft out of a Deputy Minister mare, Wolf Man Rocket is another colt who figures to appreciate the extra ground. Irad Ortiz will ride replacing Victor Espinoza who was aboard for the colt’s first three starts.
The late-running Conquest Curlinate closed nicely to finish second by a nose in the Grade 3 Illinois Derby April 18 at Hawthorne at a mile and one eight. The Mark Casse Trainee posted a nice five furlong move May 1 at Churchill Downs in 1:00.03 in preparation.
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.
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