McKenney Handicap

Purse $100.00 – For Three Year Olds And Upward Foaled In PA

6 Furlongs – Dirt

Parx – April 22, 2026

Midweek racing delivered a standout performance as The Stone Pony went straight to the front and never looked back, wiring the field in the 7th edition of the McKenney Handicap. The six furlongs was run in 1:08.72, setting a new stakes record since the distance change last year. Maletto earned his first victory in this race, while jockey Ad Hernandez also secured his first win. After coming up a head short last year, The Stone Pony returned for redemption and increased his earnings to $247.25. It appears this son of Valiant has found his niche, as six of his seven lifetime victories have come sprinting. Five of those wins have come against state-bred company, so yes, he’s proven to be especially tough against Pennsylvania-breds. The Stone Pony’s performance looks to be a signal of more success to come. A big congratulations to Maletto, who has invested heavily in the Pennsylvania breeding program. Well done!

Winner: The Stone Pony – (Maletto, Ad. Hernandez) This five-year-old gelding actually broke a step slow from the gate and didn’t make the lead until the 9/16 pole. While racing four wide down the backside, jockey Andy Hernandez got The Stone Pony in a comfortable rhythm and started to inch clear heading into the far turn. He managed to get one length clear of Demonic Chant and Neon Nightmare and looked to have kicked away a little at the quarter pole. At the top of the stretch, the son of Valiant appeared to be firmly in control, but Not So Funny Cide started inching closer and closer on the outside. The final furlong was a nail-biter, as maybe The Stone Pony was going to get caught at the finish. However, he found the wire in time to win by a nose.

Second Place: Not So Funny Cide – (The Sidley Stud, A. Adorno) Blinkers were a great addition for this gelding, and The Sidley Stud deserves credit for stepping him up to stakes company after claiming him for $10.00. After breaking from the gate, Not So Funny Cide ended up settling in sixth traveling down the backstretch. Jockey Abner Adorno had a good hold of him and was hoping for a fast pace upfront to close into. He took his time around the far turn and began to make his move at the quarter pole. Unfortunately, he was forced to close five-wide because Abner Adorno had him too far back in the early stages. Not So Funny Cide made up significant ground in the stretch, but ultimately came up a nose short. He’s one to put in your watchlist for this summer.

Third Place: Demonic Chant – (Mo Mentum Farm, A. Salgado) Went off as the post time favorite and had the perfect trip. It was a bit uneventful early on as jockey Anthony Salgado did a good job keeping his position out of the gate. He settled two-wide while trying to save as much ground as possible. The ⅜ pole was where Demonic Chant started to move up, but wasn’t really making up ground on the eventual winner. The top of the stretch was a little weird as this son of Majestic Mayhem found himself drifting out almost to the center of the track. There were some closers behind him gaining ground, but Demonic Chant was able to hold them off in the final 1/16 to finish third. A solid effort, though he still appears to need the lead to perform at his best.

Fourth Place: Neon Nightmare – (Blazin D, F. Pennington) This colt was very quick away from the gate and was actually leading for the first furlong. The Stone Pony passed him just before the half-mile pole, and Neon Nightmare settled in third just a length off the leader. He lost a little bit of ground around the far turn trying to keep up with Demonic Chant to his inside. Jockey Frankie Pennington had his horse well within striking distance, but wasn’t able to pass anyone in the stretch. They had to settle for fourth after what looked like a promising trip. This is another horse entered in this race who looks to be a need-the-lead type. I think it would be interesting to see Neon Nightmare on the turf in the future, after looking at his works and past performances.

– AJM

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded