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.
The Al Stall-trained Great Minds is the lukewarm 4/1 morning line favorite, but has dropped his last two starts since winning the Grade 3 Texas Mile May 6 at Lone Star. The five year-old gelding is a known commodity against this level of competition, but is untested over a synthetic surface. Bettors are best advised to take a cautious approach and should demand a fair price.
Ghost Hunter (9/2) has won four straight for trainer Jamie Ness and looks poised for the step up in class following his successful synthetic score August 28 at Presque Isle. This barn wins at a high percentage and has proven successful with this kind of runner. Ghost Hunter appears to land in a good spot and should give an honest account of himself against this modestly talented field. Freitage (6/1) draws wide for this, but is a proven commodity over synthetic surfaces and figures prominently throughout. Il Segreto (6/1) hails from the ever-dangerous Cristophe Clement barn and must be taken seriously.
OTB PA Picks
1) #6 Ghost Hunter
2) #10 Il Segreto
3) #11 Freitag
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.
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.
With the prestigious Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap included as part of the Belmont Stakes undercard June 11 at Belmont Park, there are plenty of appealing reasons for bettors to tune in early.
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