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Pennsylvania Derby Day Jockey Club Gold@nbsp;Cup Woodbine Mile Day Del Mar Futurity Day Del Mar Debutante Day |
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 Javier Castellano celebrates aboard The Puma after winning the Pennsylvania Derby. Photos courtesy of Amber Chalfin of Downthestretchphotos.com |
The feature race on Saturday at Parx Racing near Philadelphia was the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles on the main track. Conditions were typical for the last weekend of summer with cloudy skies, temperatures in the low 70's and the main track fast (the turf course is undergoing renovation, expected to host races again in 2027). A field of 11 made final entry but after West Virginia Derby (G3) winner Zihnal scratched, ten went to post with Matt Winn Stakes (G3) winner Further Ado sent off as the 2-1 favorite off his fifth place finish in the Haskell (G1). In to challenge him included 5-2 second choice The Puma, fourth in both Haskell and Travers (G1), and 9-2 third choice Iron Honor, third in the Haskell after finishing second in the Preakness (G1).
 The Puma leads down the stretch in the Pennsylvania Derby. |
Also on the card was the Cotillion Stakes (G1) won by Bodacious Bay plus the Parx Dirt Mile, Greenwood Cup.
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 6 The Puma Castellano 7.40 3.40 2.60 7 Further Ado Prat 3.80 2.60 9 Sassmaster Gaffalione 4.60 Winning Time: 1:49.10 $2 Exacta 6-7 28.60 $0.50 Trifecta 6-7-9 43.50 $0.10 Superfecta 6-7-9-3 25.74 |
Left: The Puma in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Gustavo Delgado said, "If you remember, after the Travers, (Castellano) said (The Puma) needs the blinkers. The race today? One move and very very very very nice. When Javier made his move, I said, 'he wins.' He went very fast. You always want to win the Grade 1. For all the people, the family, it's very good. The best race for me is right now. Very happy and very exciting. Right now, we will wait before thinking about the Breeders' Cup. We will go back to Saratoga, and we will meet with my partners and my son (assistant trainer Gustavo Jr.) and then decide."
Right: The trophy presentation for the Pennsylvania Derby. Winning owner Randy Guy said, "We are excited. It's been a long ride. We scratched on the day of the (Kentucky) Derby, and it was frustrating. But it was the best thing. I wasn't worried about the three weeks; that was the least of my worries. He has really ran good the last two races, he really has. I know he got fourth in the Haskell. The Travers? That was a loaded field. He was running good. I was very confident coming in here. Especially what he did off the three-week layoff before. I was not overconfident coming here, but I knew he had that performance in him.
Left: The Puma in the paddock before the race. Winning jockey Javier Castellano said, "The way he trained he usually come from behind. They never trained him to be a speed horse. It worked out perfect. Today was the perfect scenario for this horse. A lot of speed. Ten horses and the way I handicapped it, seven horses were solid speed horses. I took my time with him, but my goal was, when the horses started backing out, try to move quickly, early, get the jump on the other horses and try to get to the finish line and get it done."
Right: The Puma in the post parade. Castellano added, "He waited for horses. He hasn't run too many times, he's still young, immature horse, trying to figure it out a little bit. I think the idea to put the blinkers on was an amazing idea. He's getting better and better."
Left: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Further Ado returns after the race. Jockey Flavien Prat said, "I had a good trip, and then the winner opened up turning for home and I just came up too late. I was in between horses, so I had to wait a bit, and then he gave me a good run. I honestly thought turning for home I was good enough to go by him and just kept grinding."
Right: Third place finisher Sassmaster in the post parade. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione said, "When we got to the top of the stretch, when he made the lead, he just got a little bit lost. Then Javier put a little bit of pressure on and he got a little intimidated in there. After they got away from him, he re-engaged to go back after them. I was very impressed with him."
 Stradale wins the Gallant Bob Stakes |
32-1 Tallmar and 39-1 Mailata battled for the lead out of the chute through fractions of 21.78 and 44.46 while stalked by 20-1 My Boy Star. Into the stretch, Stradale, 5th early, swept to the lead 5 wide through 5f in 56.90. Kept to task by Jose Ortiz, Stradale drew off to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Dr. Kapur in 1:09.83. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to Captivator third.
Left: Stradale in the winner's circle. Winning jockey Jose Ortiz said, "He broke very well. I was able to lay in a good spot behind the speed and when I asked him, he was there for me and he responded very well. He's proven before that he can run on the dirt and can handle it so were very happy with him today."
Right: Stradale heads back to the barn. Scott Blasi, assistant to winning trainer Steve Asmussen said, "The most important part with Stradale is that he breaks well, which Jose did a great job of getting him out again today. He's capable of a good pace, but the other three decided to show more speed than him. They went awful fast early, so he backed off. I thought he gave him a perfect trip, was able to move outside, and I'm just happy to win a race for (owner Kaleem Shah). This horse is continuing to improve. He's such an awesome specimen physically. As he gets older, he's going to get better."
Left: Second place finisher Dr. Kapur in the post parade. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said, "He ran great and was obviously finishing fast but too late. He came back well, he finished up good. You can't complain. Would we like to win? Of course. We are very competitive. The winner won so he is the best, but I felt we had the best horse in the race. From an allowance to graded company, he showed he belonged. He gave himself too much to do. I don't know why he is void of that speed all of a sudden as a 3-year-old."
Right: Third place finisher Captivator in the post parade. The John Sadler trainee improved his record to 3 wins, 1 second, and 1 third in 6 starts, earning $159,100 for owner Hronis Racing.
 Icona Mama wins the Liberty Bell Stakes |
Left: Icona Mama heads to the winner's circle. Winning jockey Manny Franco said, "Going to the 3/8 pole, she switched leads on the turn and went forward. I knew they were going to come back to me, because they were cooking. That's the trip I expected on paper. It was a lot of speed, so I just took my time. I liked the way she ran last time at Charles Town, so I liked my chance in the race. I just let her settle and when I took her to the outside, she was there."
Right: Icona Mama heads back to the barn after the race. Winning trainer Flint Stites said, "She's always there. She always tries really hard, and she just continually gets better and better. When she turned for home and just moved to the outside, I really thought she was going to get it."
Left: Second place finisher Irish Maxima in the post parade. The John Servis trainee improved her record to 12 wins, 2 seconds, and 1 third in 20 starts, earning $875,418 for owner Irish Three Racing.
Right: Third place finisher and beaten favorite Haulin Ice returns after the race. The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee improved her record to 12 wins, 6 seconds, and 2 thirds in 25 starts, earning $1,307,300 for owners C2 Racing Stable, WSS Racing, and Agave Racing Stable.
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