PA Derby (Grade 1)- $1,000.000 Purse
PRX- For Three Year Olds
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
September 20, 2025

Many of the top three-year-olds in our virtual racing world have made their way to PRX for Saturday’s running of the prestigious PA Derby. This is a common stopover this time of year with the BC Classic a race that all of these trainers’ hope is in the future for their horse in about six weeks. The PA Derby has been won in the past by horses like Whats Up and Five Fives, as well as Individuation more recently. The last time that the race was run, it would be Blazing scoring the victory for Maxmillion Farm. He started the year well, but a tough outing at FL in an allowance just last week may have us wondering what he has left. There are nine that will be running in this year’s race, and here is a look at the field:

1- Continental (Barcelona Farms, ridden by Jam Rodriguez)- After dominating LA-Bred stakes with five straight wins in them, Continental has adapted just fine to unrestricted company. Not too far away from here, he looked good in a second-place effort in the Haskell. The trainer chased the high purse of the Nashville Derby afterward but did not cash a check. Now, Continental is back on the main track to see a few that he’ll remember from the Haskell.

2- Kara France (Maletto, ridden by R Bejarano)- Just a few days ago, Maletto swiped Kara France away from Aer Stables in the auction (bid history still active), and immediately enters his $106.370 purchase here. I don’t know about this, as this colt (not a filly) hasn’t cashed a check since running second in the SUN Derby in February. Didn’t perform well in preps, but here he is. Maletto will had to have discovered something new for this one to have success against this company.

3- No Real Drama (Asgar, ridden by B Curtis)- Got familiar with Continental in LA-Bred stakes, and those seconds look a lot better now. No Real Drama did not run in the KYD and entered the PRK nice and fresh. It would be there that he picked up the biggest win of his career, topping Extreme Jet and everyone else along the way. He’s run twice since, not showing much in the BEL, and then a respectable third in the Haskell. Bypassed the Travers to focus on this race.

4- Extreme Jet (Mb Stables, ridden by J R Velazquez)- Even though he did not technically finish second in the PRK, Extreme Jet does not have to look far to see the one that he shared a TC Jewel with. Extreme Jet took the other two, winning the KYD and the BEL, and that would have been enough to like him in this race, but for good measure, he also won the Travers at SAR as well. Much to like, but he has this long pattern of wins and non-wins that date all the way back to the Hopeful last year. With that pattern, this would not be a win. (But the BC Classic would, so maybe it’s good to get this out of the way).

5- Obi Wan (Mb Stables, ridden by M Franco)- Last year’s runner up in the BC Juvenile has had a strong three-year-old campaign, but will not be one of the first names thought about when it comes to this division. Won the Grade 1 BG Stakes in April, but the only TC race he would be in was the BEL, where he was fifth. Since then, he picked up a big win in the Dandy, then continued his strong form at the Spa by running third in the Travers.

6- Fawkes (Delta Farms, ridden by F Pennington)- Fawkes has won just twice over his eight starts, but when those victories have happened, he has made them count. He broke his maiden in the Wood Memorial quite impressively and enters this race fresh off a win over several of these in the Haskell. Works great and get the one I often call the king of PRX to be his rider, but interestingly Pennington has never won this PA Derby. Delta Farms hopes he’s due.

7- Without Warning (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by F Geroux)- After a strong two-year-old campaign, Without Warning continued to run well this year, getting a win in the Risen Star and then placing second in the AR Derby. Following a respectable effort in the KYD, the Neon Wolf colt nearly won the BEL, but had to settle for second in the photo with Extreme Jet. Struggled in the Haskell, then was second in the Travers. He seems to really like it at SAR, so the trainer will have to bring some of the Spa with him to PRX to try and confuse his entry.

8- Boss Spearman (John Henry, ridden by P Lopez)- A great spring saw him be the boss in the AR Derby, and then run second in the KYD. Seemed destined from there to continue having a great three year old campaign. However, right now, it seems like his year could use a jolt of excitement. He’s still been good, running fourth in his first race with John Henry in the BEL, but was flat in the Dandy. He’s had a couple months now of rest, and the trainer has him working well. Boss Spearman could be a sleeper in here if the wagering attention is placed elsewhere.

9- Criminal Law (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by S Elliott)- He’s really only had one good race out his seven this year, coming when he won the Grade 2 Day Mile Stakes in May at CD. That’s disappointing, because he had a good juvenile campaign in terms of hitting the board. The trainer still believes in him, as evidenced by his placement, and it’s not like Criminal Law is being badly defeated. Has to show he can handle the best three-year-olds out there. Perhaps this is the day.

Prediction: 6-8-4-3

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES