Parx Racing has five graded stakes this Saturday but the featured event is the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby for three-year old thoroughbreds.
The first four stake races are a combination of dirt and turf events from a five-furlong sprints to a mile and a half. The Grade 3 Turf Monster Stakes is open to thoroughbreds three and older. It covers five furlongs and it has a $300,000 prize purse.
The $1 million Cotillion Stakes is for three-year old fillies as a graded stakes race. Nine fillies are set and ready go with Secret Oath has a 2-1 favorite. Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher are some of the trainers for the legitimate contenders.
The Grade 2 Gallant Bob Stakes is a six-furlong sprint on dirt. It is open to three-year Thoroughbreds and it comes with the prize purse of $300,000. The $200,000 Greenwood Cup is the 1½ miles on dirt. It is open to Thoroughbreds three and older and is a Grade 3 event.
2022 Pennsylvania Derby Predictions
When: Saturday, September 24th 2022
Where: Parx Racing
The $1 million Pennsylvania Derby is a Grade 1 race over 1 1/8 miles on dirt. The competition could be fierce but Cyberknife, Skippylongstocking and Taiba are my choice to finish in the money.
Win: Cyberknife
Going off at No. 5 in this race, Cyberknife finished second in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 27. He competed his five previous starts by winning these events. The Kentucky three-year finished first or second in eight of 10 starts in two years.
The son of Gun Runner has excelled at the longer pace since a 18th finish at the Kentucky Derby. Cyber is in the perfect position to take advantage at Parx Racing. He is eyeing the Breeders’ Cup Classic in early November.
Place: Skippylongstocking
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. and ridden by jockey Edwin Gonzalez, this three-year Kentucky- bred colt will break out of the No. 4 post. He won the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby early this August at Mountaineer. Going back to this five starts, he finished in the money four times.
Skippylongstocking has remained an East Coast product from Gulfstream Park to Belmont Park. He is a second-favorite also at 3-1 with Cyberknife and he has the power and spend to keep pace.
Show: Taiba
Taiba is the favorite in this race on the morning line at 5-2 odds. Breaking in the No. 8 position, he has veteran jockey Mike Smith leading the way. Trained by Bob Baffert, the Kentucky-bred three-year-old has a short but sweet card with three of four finishes in the money.
Sired by Gun Runner, he took second in the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park in July. He has not run a competing race since. However, Taiba will compete in this race.
