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PA Derby Looks Like a Good One

By on

9/26/2020

  5  PRX   PA Derby (GI)

       $1,000.000    3yo     1 1/8m  Dirt         122lbs

The Road Goes On Forever… but the Derby’s never end… and the gate is full of sophomores for the PA Derby (GI) a mile and an eighth battle on the PRX dirt, here north of Philly.  All spring, I touted the AER charges, and we get a pair of them here today… but, that was then… this is now.  I just can’t get past Jolly Rock in this one.  He’s comes into this with back to back wins in the Haskel (GI) and Travers (GI) and I just think that is too big to ignore.  Another that comes in with a bit lighter load of races is Finite.  He really looked sharp taking the Super Derby (GIII) and coming off of a June-September break, that sure does catch my eye.  I like Spirited Stride a bit and it’s always good to see Australia Wide in these big races, so Black And Red will probably have a couple of my dollars on him.

It’s looks like a heck of a race…

Here’s The Field –

1
   Sars    Aer Stables    Franco G   122   6/1

He had a solid TC campaign running third in the PRK (GI) and the BEL (GI) but that was an alarming race in the Travers (GI) where he was twelfth of fourteen and just never got going.  Can he bounce back here or is Old Friends in his future?

2
   Finite    Dynark Stables    Achard A   122   5/1

Looked good winning the Super Derby (GIII) down at LAD in his most recent and upset that field at almost 11/1 odds.  His only other win this season came in his third lifetime start, winning the Davis Stakes at TAM.  Is he back on track now?

3
   Jolly Rook    Angelos Stable    Velazquez J R   122   3/1

About as sharp as you could hope a horse to be at this point in the year, winning four of seven starts, three in a row including the Haskel (GI) and the Travers (GI).  This barn has been patient with him and it may be paying off big with the BC coming soon… but first…

4
   Bee Blue    Calia Stable    Ortiz I Jr   122   12/1  

Steps way up in class off of a pair of thirds up at The Spa, one for a tag and the other a NY-bred stakes.  The homework gets a lot tougher in this one, so he’d best be on his toes if he wants any part of this. 

5
   Anoush Command    Fractious    Desormeaux K J   122   9/2 

It’s been a solid year for this one, as he changed hands headed into the TC races and he won the FLA Derby (GI) making him the favorite in the KYD (GI) but he was fifth in that unforgettable fiasco… fourth in the PRK (GI) then a nice win at WO in the Queens Plate, then closed well to be fourth in the Travers (GI) last out.  I’d give him a big look today. 

6
   Shadow Man    Axeman    Hernandez R M   122   6/1 

Another that has been running big of late, taking both the IND Derby (GIII) and the WV Derby (GIII) then ran big to be second in the Dandy (GII) last out.  He’s won half of his eight seasonal starts, so he’s no stranger to the winner’s circle. 

7
   Heretowinthisfight    Night Mare Racing    Davis D   122   10/1   

Another that has won half of his eight starts this year, all of those coming into this one… a four race win-streak.  He won the Dwyer (GIII) and Jones Stakes (GIII), the later coming over this strip.  Can the home cookin’ get him another win?
 

8
   Black And Red    Australia Wide    Husbands P   122   7/1

Always good to see The King in these big races, bringing back years gone-by.  This one can run, as he took the TX Derby at LS and was a just miss second in the Haskel (GI).  Not much in the Travers (GI) but maybe he finds it today. 

9
   Spirited Stride    Mb Stables    Ryan S   122   6/1

Seems like a million years ago since he was third in the KYD (GI) and showed some of that old form last out, bouncing back from a pair of off-the-board races.  Solid effort in the Greenwood Cup (GIII) over this track at a mile and a half, so the distance isn’t a question. 

10
   Most High    Night Rider Stables    Geroux F   122   15/1   


He’s still looking for his first win of the season and this is a tough post and a tough race to get that under his belt.  I think they are up against it here today. 

11
   Relate    D J C Racing Stables    Jaramillo E   122   12/1  

He shows a pair of NY-bred wins, one of those a stakes, but he tired badly in the O’Brien (GII) at DMR where he had the lead into the lane only to finish tenth.  He will need a drastic change to be a factor here. 

12
   Charleys Latte    Estero Farms    Lezcano J   122   7/1

Hasn’t won since taking the Wood Mem (GII) back in April, but did wake up a bit last out when second beaten a half length in the Pacific Classic (GI) at DMR.  Another one like that and he could be a factor at a good price. 

13
   Brittle    Aer Stables    Bridgmohan S X   122   6/1

The BEL (GI) winner has been a tale of two horses this year… winning the Holy Bull G(II) etc., but also running twlfth in the KYD (GI) and seventh last out in the Travers (GI).  Still, when he’s right, you better chalk your cue because he can un the table. 

14
   Graveyard    Mb Stables    Garcia Mar   122   10/1   

Closed well to be third in the Travers (GI) two back but he’s still looking for his first win of the season, caught the outside post and will need a heck of a race-trip to be a factor today.  You don’t think he will come dressed as Bug’s Bunny, do you?

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