The $75,000 Valley Forge is the second of two stakes races on the December 30 card at Parx, featuring a field of ten set to travel seven furlongs on the main track.
New York shipper, Tenango, is the 5/2 morning line favorite for trainer David Jacobson. The four year-old gelded son of Lion Heart will try to put the finishing touches on a productive 2014 campaign where he earned $182,500 while winning three of eight starts. Tenango, who has never raced at Parx, has demonstrated a tendency to settle for minor awards throughout his career. In 29 starts, Tenango has 10 second-place finishes – five of which were earned in races carded at seven furlongs. Breaking from post number four, Tenango will likely be part of a lively early pace.
At 6/1, Officer Alex has shown a liking for the Parx surface and has the right running style to make him an enticing value play. The Lyn Whiting trainee has been idle since October 29 after running off-the- board at Keeneland and Churchill Downs against high-priced allowance competition, but has been working extremely well for his return. With a fast pace expected, Officer Alex can sit in the pocket and pass tiring horses turning for home.
Praetereo (12/1) also has a favorable running style, and represents excellent value. The six year-old veteran stumbled at the start in his last race, but ran on well in the stretch to finish just three parts of a length behind Bama Bound (7/2) in a six furlong race at Parx December 20. The extra furlong should be to his liking.
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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