McKenney Handicap

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

6 Furlongs – Dirt

Parx – April 22, 2026

Pennsylvania’s breeding program gets another moment in the spotlight this Wednesday, as a competitive field assembles for the 7th running of the McKenney Handicap. No graded winners here—just a hungry group of up-and-comers knocking on the door. With a chance of rain in the forecast, expect possible late scratches and a tilt toward runners with off-track success. This race was cut back to six furlongs only last year, with Dunkin Run running the six furlongs in 1:08.94. Honors were shared in 2024 after a dead heat between Big E and Shoulders. Trippi Bay captured consecutive renewals in 2021–22, doing so for different connections. Several in this field are aiming to rediscover winning form, with only two entrants having a win this year. There’s plenty to unpack, so let’s break down this year’s contenders!

1. Fort Washington – (Maletto, M J. Sanchez) The first of two homebreds for Maletto. A little fun fact about Fort Washington is that his dad, Justice Of The Peace, competed in this race back in 2023. Anyways, this gelding broke his maiden impressively by two lengths at Parx, going a mile on the main track. Connections then took a shot against state-bred company, as well as running in the Southwest at Oaklawn Park. Those starts were not a success, as he failed to make an impact in both races. Fort Washington got back to the winner’s circle in his most recent start in the mud. Maletto decided to add Lasix, which proved to be a good addition. Having some off-track experience, he will be a major contender.

2. Demonic Chant – (Mo Mentum Farm, A. Salgado) It’s been a revolving door of barns for this horse, switching connections in each of his last three starts. Mo Mentum Farm picked up Demonic Chant for $50.00 at Santa Anita after wiring allowance company by two lengths. Connections tried to take advantage of that impressive win and took a swing in the Grade Two Carter Handicap. He ran an even fifth trying to come from off the pace, but put up a career-best 100 speed figure. This son of Majestic Mayhem is at his strongest when involved early, and I expect him to be in the mix from the start. This is a good entry for the highest earner in the field, and he’s certainly capable of winning here.

3. Wolf Figure – (The Sidley Stud, Y. Hazlewood) This colt’s form is a bit hard to figure out, as he has not hit the board since breaking his maiden in 2024. Connections have experimented with going long and short with Wolf Figure and had no luck. His best effort came in the Baxter Stakes last year at Fonner Park. Lasix was removed for this start, and he sat a lot closer to the pace. Unfortunately, he was outclosed in the stretch and finished fourth with a career-best 91 speed figure. It’s also worth noting that this four-year-old hasn’t passed a horse in his last four starts. The Sidley Stud is trying to poke around and find where he fits, but there are some heavy hitters in here who look a lot more attractive.

4. Neon Nightmare – (Blazin D, F. Pennington) Claimed for $13.00 in December 2024 and has three state-bred wins since. This is a need-the-lead type, as those three wins all came in wire-to-wire fashion. Neon Nightmare was even-money in the Price Lucky stakes and did not disappoint, winning by a length. Connections tried to hone in on the 7/8 distance after that victory, but didn’t have much luck. Earlier this year, this colt got back on track with a win against state-bred company, wiring a field of six and making a start in the Palos Verdes Stakes. He was outkicked in the stretch and had to settle with fourth. Neon Nightmare fits well with this group, and a winning effort here would not come as a shock.

5. If I Were King – (The Sidley Stud, J A. Vargas Jr.) Another speedy entrant who has only had three sprinting starts in his past eighteen races. Since being claimed for just $5.00 in the summer of 2024, If I Were King has four two-turn wins and one sprinting. Almost all of this gelding’s wins have come from running on the lead. He was the heavy favorite in the Jump Start Stakes against state-bred company and won by a comfortable length. His most recent outing was in the San Carlos at Santa Anita, where connections tried taking him off the pace. It was not a success as If I Were King faded in the stretch. While the turnback in distance is a plus, he’ll have to step forward to match this group.

6. Not So Funny Cide – (The Sidley Stud, K. De Jesus) The third and final entrant for The Sidley Stud is running here first off the claim. There’s going to be some changes for this gelding as Lasix and Bute are being removed for this start, and Blinkers are being added. Connections won a two-way shake for Not So Funny Cide after a second-place finish at Sunland Park. His last win came in a N3L at Parx, where he won by a nose as the favorite. The only success this son of Funny Cide has had in the past has been against claiming company. This is a somewhat reasonable entry, as his best numbers have come from sprinting, and his recent workouts are sharp. Could the addition of blinkers be a recipe for success?

7. The Stone Pony – (Maletto, Ad. Hernandez) There’s not much this horse hasn’t done in his career, as he has won going long and short. The Stone Pony participated in this race last year and ended up getting caught at the wire to lose by a head. His four-year-old campaign ended at Del Mar, running in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile. Although he failed to fire, connections seemed to have learned a lot about this gelding, as his two races after were both sprints. The Stone Pony’s last start was at Parx in a two other than allowance, closing from sixth just to come up a head short. I really liked this effort as jockey Tyler Conner had him four-wide pretty much the whole race and came with a strong run. My top pick.

– AJM

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded