Seek Again, the runner-up in the 2014 Woodford Reserve (G1), has been tabbed as the morning line favorite at odds of 4-1 for trainer Bill Mott. Bred and owned by Juddmonte Farms, the five-year-old son of Speightstown has won five of his thirteen starts and has been on the shelf since finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). He has been training steadily for his return to the races and will have Joel Rosario in the irons from post position nine.
Second choice at 9-2 on the morning line is Stephanie’s Kitten, the lone mare taking on male rivals. Trained by Chad Brown and a homebred for Ken and Sarah Ramsey, she is a nine-time career winner and is a perfect three-for-three over the Churchill Downs lawn. She was last seen winning the Hillsborough (G3) in her first start of the year. John Velazquez will be in the irons and they are scheduled to break from post eight.
Also in the field at morning line odds of 12-1 is Optimizer for trainer Jose Fernandez. A six-year-old son of English Channel, he is a five-time career winner and is trying to earn his first victory since February of 2013. After going winless from four outings last year, he went to the sidelines following a seventh-place finish in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1). Corey Lanerie will be in aboard and they will break 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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