Lady Eli is the deserving 4/5 morning line favorite after going unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile including an impressive score in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf where she exploded in the stretch to win by nearly three lengths. The Chad Brown trainee also won the Grade 3 Ms Grillo Stakes last September, and has trained forwardly for her return. Brown connects at an impressive 27% clip with runners returning from 61-180 day layoffs. Regular jockey Irad Ortiz will be aboard Lady Eli.
Sunset Glow (5/2) also makes her seasonal debut after running second to Lady Eli in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Fillies. The speedy daughter of Exchange Rate opened up a clear lead in the Juvenile Turf Fillies and was well clear of the third place finisher while turning in an excellent performance while making her first start around two turns. The Wesley Ward trainee will race without blinkers for the first time in her six race career. Ward hits at a strong 27% rate when removing blinkers and at 19% with runners returning from 61-180 day layoffs.
Tiger Ride (6/1) ran fourth in the Grade 3 Florida Oaks and seems to be improving for trainer Kellyn Gorder. Javier Castellano will ride breaking from the rail.
The Grade 2 $1.25 million Pennsylvania Derby features the two biggest names from the Triple Crown trail September 24 at Parx as a field of 12 gathers in one of the most intriguing betting races of the year.
The $1 million Cotillion Stakes September 24 at Parx features a true clash of the titans as the six-horse field is headlined by the undefeated, five-time grade 1 winner Songbird who figures to face the most stern challenge of her career.
In a completely wide open renewal of the Presque Isle Mile September 18 at Presque Isle Downs, 13 runners including the also-eligible will contest the eight furlong trip over synthetic footing.
Champion Songbird is set to make her much-anticipated return to the races in the $200,000 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on Saturday. The Grade 2 event will be run at a mile and a sixteenth and has attracted a field of seven.
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