Topping the competitive field of fourteen fillies is the undefeated Lady Eli at odds of 2-1 on the morning line for trainer Chad Brown. A dark bay daughter of Divine Park, she won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last year and has since won both starts as a three-year-old to improve her record to five for five. She delivered as the heavy favorite in the Wonder Again Stakes last time out and will have regular rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the irons from post position two.
Second choice at 7-2 on the morning line is Spanish Queen for trainer Richard Baltas. A dark bay daughter of Tribal Rule, she has won three of her four starts and was last seen winning the American Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita as the favorite over five rivals. She has been training sharply since that effort and will have Brice Blanc, her regular rider in all of her races, aboard from post position six.
Also in the field at morning line odds of 20-1 is Lady Zuzu for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Purchased for $1.225 million as a yearling, she has one win from eight starts and will be trying to earn her first black-type victory. A dark bay daughter of Dynaformer, she was last seen finishing second in the Regret Stakes (G3) after setting the pace. James Graham will be aboard for the first time from post thirteen.
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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