This Saturday, Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania becomes the center of the racing world when ten talented 3-year-olds line up for the Grade 1, $1 million betPARX Pennsylvania Derby. Every runner is seeking that coveted first Grade 1 victory, making this one of the most competitive and wide-open races of the year.
The spotlight falls on Baeza, installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. Trained by John Shirreffs for C R K Stable and Grandview Equine, Baeza already owns top-level credentials with placings in the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and a narrow runner-up finish in Saratoga’s Jim Dandy. Hector Berrios retains the mount and will look to give this well-traveled colt his breakthrough Grade 1 score.
“There looks like there is going to be a lot of speed in the race, so you would hope he gets a nice position somewhere close, not too far back,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “I think Parx has a little bit of a speed bias and you don’t want to be too far back. From all his experience this summer, he is pretty good at getting dirt in his face and being in between horses. … I’m not too concerned about that. I just hope he breaks well and gets a good position.”
Standing in his way is Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, a four-time Pennsylvania Derby winner, who sends out Goal Oriented (5-2) with champion jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Goal Oriented exits a solid third in the Grade 1 Haskell and brings plenty of class. Other key players include Gosger (4-1), who bested Baeza in the Haskell, and Magnitude (6-1), third in the Travers for Steve Asmussen. Longshots like Big Truzz, runaway winner of the Ellis Park Derby, and improving David of Athens add depth to an already explosive lineup.
The 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby headlines a blockbuster card that also features the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes for fillies, the Gallant Bob (G2), the Parx Dirt Mile, and more. First post is early, but the Derby itself goes off at approximately 6 p.m. ET—prime time for racing fans everywhere.
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