The $1 Million Pennsylvania Derby: A Pivotal Breeders’ Cup Prep Race

Further Ado was brilliant in winning the Matt Winn Stakes in June at Churchill Downs

Coady photography Julie Clark

The Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby has established itself as one of the premier late-summer targets for three-year-olds, serving as a crucial stepping stone toward the Breeders’ Cup and year-end championship honors. With its purse elevated to a prestigious $1 million since 2007, the mile-and-one-eighth contest at Parx Racing attracts both top Triple Crown contenders and promising sophomores looking to make a late-season statement. This year’s edition boasts a competitive field of eleven runners, headlined by Kentucky Derby post-time favorite Further Ado from the Brad Cox barn. As the horses prepare to square off on September 19, we analyze the field, looking at each entrant’s chances, trainers, jockeys, and morning-line odds. The Pennsylvania Derby is the highlight of a day that features eight stakes races on September 19, carded as race 14 at PARX in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, with an expected post time of 5:48 pm Eastern time.

1 Zihnal

Trainer: Johnathan Thomas

Jockey: John Velazquez

Odds: 8-1

Zihnal stalked the pace before drawing away late to win the West Virginia Derby by 6 ¼ lengths. Having finished fourth in the Indiana Derby prior to that, this Quality Road colt is making his sixth career start at a fifth different track. Showing steady improvement, he has a strong chance to factor into the finish.

2 Iron Honor

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Odds: 5-1

Iron Honor began his career with two consecutive victories, including the Gotham Stakes, and added a second-place finish in the Preakness Stakes. He most recently battled to a third-place finish in the Haskell Stakes. Consistently performing at a high level against elite competition, this Nyquist colt teams up with one of the most reliable jockeys in the game and should be a major contender.

3 Our Moneyman

Trainer: Brett Calhoun

Jockey: Manny Franco

Odds: 8-1

A Louisiana-bred son of Mr. Money, Our Moneyman has finished in the top three in all nine of his career starts, with three victories. He closed strongly for second in the Matt Winn Stakes and narrowly missed to Leading Change in the Indiana Derby. A proven competitor at this level, he represents an excellent value play and a strong across-the-board candidate.

4 Igniter

Trainer: Rick Dutrow

Jockey: Luis Saez

Odds: 8-1

Igniter has finished in the top three in seven of his eight career starts, with his only off-the-board finish coming at this distance. He won the Ellis Park Derby at one mile on August 9. While Luis Saez is capable of coaxing top effort, stretching out to nine furlongs may present a challenge, and we will look elsewhere.

5 Talk To Me Jimmy

Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez

Jockey: Ruben Silvera

Odds: 12-1

Typically a front-running speed horse, this New York-bred son of Modernist is expected to set or press the early pace. He won the Withers Stakes at this distance by an impressive 11 lengths in February and was victorious in the New York Derby at Finger Lakes two starts back. A solid candidate for exotic wagers at a competitive price.

6 The Puma

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Odds: 4-1

A son of Essential Quality, The Puma is known for his consistent performances. He captured the Tampa Bay Derby and narrowly missed in the Florida Derby before an injury sidelined him from the Triple Crown series. Returning to finish fourth in both the Haskell and Travers Stakes, he will attract attention but is not our top selection.

7 Further Ado

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Odds: 2-1

A brilliant son of Gun Runner, Further Ado has shown flashes of brilliance, winning the Blue Grass Stakes and the Matt Winn Stakes impressively, though he finished 11th in the Kentucky Derby and fifth in the Haskell. If the field cooperates, he has the talent to dominate and is unquestionably the horse to beat.

8 Freedom’s Echo

Trainer: Guadalupe Preciado

Jockey: Mychal Sanchez

Odds: 20-1

A son of Independence Hall, Freedom’s Echo has raced five times at Parx, winning twice. This will be his first attempt in graded stakes company and his first try at the mile-and-one-eighth distance. Facing a significant class jump, he is not on our radar.

9 Sassmaster

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Tyler Gafflione

Odds: 10-1

A lightly raced son of Curlin, Sassmaster has only three career starts but has won his last two, most recently at this distance. While this is his first attempt in graded stakes, trainer Todd Pletcher has a knack for peaking horses on big days. He is an interesting price play for exotic wagers.

10 Micanopy

Trainer: Michael Simone

Jockey: Paco Lopez

Odds: 15-1

Micanopy won the local prep, the Smarty Jones Stakes, on August 18, defeating five rivals by a length and a half. With three wins and a second in his last four starts, this Uncle Chuck colt gets a fearless rider in Paco Lopez. He is worth a look as a price play for exotic wagers.

11 Ponder and Dream

Trainer: Robert Reid

Jockey : Mychal Sanchez

Odds: 20-1

A Pennsylvania-bred hometown hopeful, Ponder and Dream has raced nine times at Parx, finishing in the top three in all nine starts with three victories. While a win is always the dream, translating that consistency into a graded stakes victory will be a tall task. He is a longshot play for exotic wagers.

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