The PA Derby – GI (P5)
9/21/19
PRX Race 14 1 1/8M – Dirt
Purse $1,000.000
Three Year Olds

A field of thirteen for this year’s running of the grade one Pennsylvania Derby here at Parx. Not only is this the last but race for three year olds only but it is a big prep for the Breeders Cup Classic also. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Di Estate (7-1-2-0 $50.750), trained by Gdp Inc

The first runner in the field here is going to be one of the longer shots on the board. In his last race he a maiden claiming race at Saratoga going seven furlongs. I just think that this is too tough of a race for him and I think the distance is too far also.

2. Marquee (10-6-1-1 $154.480), trained by Fractious

And the next runner in the field will be making his first start for his new trainer who claimed him when he won his last start. He is on a two race winning streak but this is just a huge step up in class for this one and I just don’t think this one has much of a chance.

3. He Needsa Manzillian (13-3-1-4 $115.020), trained by Estero Farms

Next one that we take a look at in this field is coming into this race off of an optional claiming score at Del Mar where he beat a tough field. He ran good that day but that was sprinting and this is around two turns. He would have to run the race of his life to win here.

4. California Chrome (7-3-1-0 $247.880), trained by Aer Stables

Here is the local prep winner right here as he won the grade three Jones Stakes here at Parx just a little under three weeks ago. That was his first big stakes win so far and he really came out in that spot. He should improve off of that win and he has an outside chance to win this.

5. For The Boys (16-4-2-6 $747.840), trained by D J C Racing Stables

A very talented but also a very unlucky horse right here as he has had three tough defeats in a row in the Foster Handicap, the Haskell and the Travers which are all very prestigious races. He can win this race and he has a very good shot he will just have to win the big race.

6. Apples To Oranges (9-3-2-2 $1,928.400), trained by Mb Stables

Well here we have the winner of the grade one Pacific Classic and that wasn’t just a narrow win that day he crushed a field of older horses by three lengths in there. He ran huge and it was a huge performance but he will have to back it up in here.

7. Beach Dandy (11-7-0-1 $4,342.240), trained by John Henry

A Breeders Cup Juvenile and a Kentucky Derby winner right here and I feel he may be a tad overlooked in here. I think he is still just as good as he was earlier on this year and I think he definitely has a chance to get the win in this race.

8. Not To Be Denied (13-4-2-1 $504.080), trained by D J C Racing Stables

The second runner for D J C Racing Stables in the field and this one is coming into this race off of a fifth place finish in the grade two Dandy which was almost two months ago. He took two months off and he should be fresh but he will have to run a huge race to win.

9. Crystal Speed (11-3-2-2 $124.740), trained by TwinTowers Racing

Now to this runner who is coming into this race off of a win in an optional claimer at Saratoga going this same distance. He ran well that day and beat a nice field but this is definitely a very big jump up in class for him. He will have to run a career best to win in this spot.

10. Burning Approval (9-3-2-1 $1,405.000), trained by Mb Stables

The second of the Mb Stables charge and this horse is entering this race off of a huge win in the grade one Travers at Saratoga. He ran a huge race that day to win by a neck and that was a real breakthrough win. If he repeats that performance he will have a very good chance to win.

11. Unfold (10-3-2-2 $811.000), trained by Mb Stables

And the final one of the three entries from Mb Stables right here and this horse is coming into this race off of a seventh place finish in the grade one Travers. That was not his best run and I think he is better than that performance so I look for him to rebound in here.

12. Charleys Glance (11-1-2-3 $69.870), trained by Maxmillion Farm

A shot in the dark for this horse here I think as he is coming off of a fifth place finish on the turf in his last start. He has not been able to win any other races besides a maiden race and he just does not seem to look like he is good enough for this field.

13. Topside (8-3-2-1 $241.540), trained by Night Rider Stables

And the final runner in the field and he is coming into this race off of a dominating win in the New York bred Albany Stakes at Saratoga. He went wire to wire that day and there is a good chance he will have to try and do that again from this outside post.

Summary

A very very good field here for the Pennsylvania Derby with a couple of the top three year olds in the game in this race. My top pick is going to be Burning Approval off of that win in the Travers but I could see about three or four others right there with him. Good luck to all in the field.

10-6-5-7

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