Greenwood Cup
$150.00 For Three Year Olds And Upward
1 1/2 Miles – Dirt
Parx – September 19, 2026

It is becoming rarer to see races at the mile and a half distance in the United States. Reflection of our declining attention spans? That’s my guess. Back in the day I remember prestigious graded stakes races at two miles or more. Fried Chicken was very happy to see the full twelve furlongs on Saturday as he needed almost all of that to mount a furious stretch drive and wear down a stubborn Littiputian to win the 2026 edition of the Greenwood Cup.

Winner: Fried Chicken
Owner/Trainer: Angelos Stable
Jockey: F. Pennington
Breeder: Wood Duck Stables (Cal) – Storming/Aix En Provence (Chai Chicken)

Half way through the race and twelve lengths back I had written him off and was ready to chalk up a bad day for Fried Chicken. He began to make his move with a half mile remaining and was moving best of all on the final turn. Even so, it looked like he had left himself with too much work to do in the stretch but he came home like the proverbial freight train to hit the wire first by a half length. In the preview I said he was the likely pick but of course I didn’t pick him. Lesson learned and a good return to a stakes winner circle.

Second: Littiputian
Owner/Trainer: Mojica Racing
Jockey: P. Lopez
Breeder: Nj Vets (NJ) – Grandeur/Lightbeam Rage (Viking Rage)

Went to the front early and battled almost the entire marathon mile and a half with Mango Or Mint. Littiputian broke away from that early rival going into the final turn and established a clear lead but was just caught in the late stages after doing all of the hard work. His second straight second place in his first two stakes starts for this late blooming six year old. 

Third: Freaky Obra Party
Owner/Trainer: The Sidley Stud
Jockey: A.A. Gallardo
Breeder: Martyparty (Cal) – Hollywood Freak/Return Of The Obra (Zakouski)

For some reason he was parked four wide around the first turn in a twelve furlong race. Moved up steadily following that to establish himself midpack six lengths back early. Looked like he was going to be the main late threat before Fried Chicken got in gear but still made steady progress to the wire finishing a strong third.

Fourth: Mango Or Mint
Owner/Trainer: The Sidley Stud
Jockey: S X Bridgmohan
Breeder: The Sidley Stud (ON) – Ginger Haggis/Amazing Ava (Techfluence)

Was part of the early pace and battled with Littiputian until the half mile pole when he began to give way. Was passed by a couple of horses late but continued on strongly enough to hold off Prince Machiavelli for fourth place and the final check.

Preview Pick: Copper State – Ran a flat sixth five lengths behind the winner. 

This was the first Greenwood Cup win for both Angelos Stable and jockey F. Pennington. This was Fried Chicken’s eight win in a twenty eight race career and pushed his total earnings to date to $1,192.19.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded