On Saturday, Santa Anita will host the 2nd running of the $250,000 California Cup Derby. Restricted to three-year-olds either bred in California or sired by California-based stallions, the mile and a sixteenth contest has drawn a field of eight.
Acceptance, undefeated from three lifetime starts, has been tabbed as the morning line favorite at 9-5 for trainer Donald Warren. A dark bay son of Vronsky, he broke his maiden in his debut as a juvenile and went on to win back to back stakes races as the favorite. All three victories have come against restricted state-bred competition. Elvis Trujillo, his regular rider, will be back aboard and they will break from post position two.
Second choice at 5-2 on the morning line is Tough Sunday for trainer Steven Miyadi. Bred and owned by Nick Alexander, the bay son of Grazen will be making his stakes debut after breaking his maiden against fellow California-breds last time out. Prior to that victory, he had been second and third against maiden company. Tyler Baze, in the irons for his maiden score, will be back aboard and they are scheduled to break from the rail.
Also in the field and a longshot at 20-1 on the morning line is Avanti Bello for trainer Doug O’Neill. A bay son of Include, he will be making his first start on conventional dirt after breaking his maiden over synthetics and subsequently finishing eighth on the turf in the Eddie Logan Stakes. Both starts to date have come against open company. He will get a rider change to Mike Smith and they will break from the outside post.
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.
Pennsylvania Derby Picks and Preview
23 September 2016The 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....
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