Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 9/19 – Cotillion & PA Derby at Parx
The races continue at Parx with the two biggest races of the year at the Bensalem race track. Three-year-olds will be in the spotlight today in suburban Philadelphia in a pair of Grade 1 races.
First, the fillies will get the spotlight in the Cotillion as nine fillies will go a mile and a sixteenth. Then the boys will take to the track in the main event, the Pennsylvania Derby, going a mile and an eighth. Let’s take a look at the two Grade 1 races.
Parx Race 13 – Cotillion Stakes (Grade 1)
Favored in the Cotillion is the 4 Always a Runner (8/5 morning line). She finished second to three-year-old filly leader Counting Stars in the Grade 1 CCA Oaks at the end of July. She won the Kentucky Oaks from further back but was closer to the pace when losing twice at Saratoga to Counting Stars. She can get this distance and more but does she revert back to the Oaks win or keep the recent running style?
The 8 Measure (4/1 ML) finished a hard charging second in the Grade 1 Alabama last month. She fired a bullet at Belmont in preparation for today and should enjoy the pace set up here this afternoon.
The 3 Zany (9/2 ML) won three races in a row to start her career but has not won in her last three. She came back from an almost three-month layoff to finish fourth in the CCA Oaks which may have been a big ask. She may be sitting right behind the speed here this afternoon and get first chance to take over the race as they turn for home.
The 9 Tap to Open (8/1 ML) won the local prep here last month in the Cathryn Sophia last month as she battled back for the win. She did run fast fractions that day and does appear to be the fastest of the speed here. If she is alone on the lead, she may be able to take this field gate to wire, but she is stepping up in class here today.
Joe’s Cotillion Pick
This looks like this race sets up nicely for the closers here. But I am wondering what Always a Runner will do in this race. But I really like Measure here and she should get the pace here to make up for running at a distance which may not be her best.
I’m calling this race 8-4-9-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 8.
Parx Race 14 – Pennsylvania Derby (Grade 1)
Eleven horses will head to the gate in the biggest event in the state of Pennsylvania in the Pennsylvania Derby.
Favored in the Derby is the 7 Further Ado (2/1 ML). He last run in the slop at Monmouth Park and finished with in that race. He might have a valid excuse for his pour performance as he might not have liked the wet track that day. He will have a dry track this afternoon and will try for his first win outside the state of Kentucky.
The 6 The Puma (4/1 ML) finished fourth in the Grade 1 Travers three weeks ago at Saratoga and turns around and runs here this afternoon. He adds blinkers for this afternoon’s race. Look for him to make a late move here if he is ready today.
The 3 Our Moneyman (8/1 ML) lost by a neck in July in the Grade 3 Indiana Derby, closing strongly despite a speed favoring track that day. He had all kinds of issues in the race. He was squeezed at the start and the jockey lost his crop in the final sixteenth as well. There were enough issues back in July that maybe he could have won that race at Horseshoe Indy.
The 9 Sassmaster (10/1 ML) won at this distance last month at Saratoga as he stalked the pace and inched away in the stretch for the win. He has won two in a row and will look for his third win in a row as he steps up in class here today.
Joe’s PA Derby Pick
This race could very well chalk out and you will see Further Ado and The Puma fnishing one-two in this race. But I think that there are all kinds of issues with Our Moneyman’s last race and he probably should have won that race. Remember, Our Moneyman finished second to Leading Change who won the Travers three weeks ago.
I’m calling this race 3-6-9-7. First play is a $20 win wager on the 3. Also, I’ll play a $20 Cotillion/Derby daily double of the 8 Measure with the 3. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
