By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
The $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing has attracted strong playing fields over the years, and its ascent to Class 1 has only cemented its place as a Breeders’ Cup. Classic (G1) key preparation for elite members of three years -division of gold.
Saturday’s renewal of the 1/8 mile race was the chief of the Epicenter division (who was training until the Breeders’ Cup), but four Rank 1 winners showed up to contend for ample purses, and eight of the 11 participants are Triple Crown veterans.
At first glance, #5 Cyberknife (3-1) looks like the horse to beat. The progressive Gun Runner’s son is the best performing horse in the Pennsylvania Derby and is in the best form of his career. During the spring, he won the Arkansas Derby (G1) by 2 3/4 length, followed by the Kentucky Oaks (G1) Secret Oath Winner among his defeated opponents.
Cyberknife then faltered to finish 18th in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but he came back with a crushing win at Matt Winn S. (G3) and then set a record by heading over Haskell S. (G1). Students won first prize # 8 Taiba (5-2) and Jack Christopher. The foal then returned victoriously H. Allen Jerkens S. (G1), flattering the Haskell form.
Cyberknife most recently went home second to Epicenter in Travers S. (G1) in Saratoga, border #1 Zandon (5-1) by nose for the runner-up title. Cyberknife is back to post a few Churchill Downs workouts for high rate coach Brad Cox and secured a lot of respect during the Pennsylvania Derby.
But don’t overlook Taiba, who is said to have run a better race than Cyberknife when it comes to second in Haskell. While Cyberknife benefited from a ground-saving trip a month after his Matt Winn score, Taiba rallied outside in his first startup after a 2 1/2 month break. The decline in pitch and fitness could have been the deciding factors in Haskell’s defeat at Taiba.
Throughout the spring, Taiba posted a strong speed track win in the 1 1/8 mile Santa Anita Derby (G1) race at Santa Anita, winning 2 1/4 lengths with a 111 Speed rating Brisnet is taller than 105 of Cyberknife’s career bests. Rating. The Santa Anita Derby was only Taiba’s second match and his first attempt at a long run, making his performance all the more remarkable. Taiba has been storming since Haskell and numbers moving forward in the Pennsylvania Derby, setting the stage for victory at the hands of Walk of Fame stoner Mike Smith
As for the odd bet, the Zandon mentioned above is a must-have contender. N followed by a heroic third place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He continued to compete with aplomb throughout the summer in Saratoga, finishing second to Epicenter in Jim Dandy S. (G2) before finishing in a Cyberknife shot in Travers.
Rounding off the list of 1st Place winners in the Pennsylvania Derby is #11 White Abarrio (8-1), who won comfortably in the Holy Bull S. (G3) and Florida Derby (G1) over the winter at Gulfstream Park. But White Abarrio is 4 to 4 in Gulfstream and 0 to 4 in all other races, and he will need to come back from seventh in Haskell if he turns the tables on Cyberknife and Taiba at Parx Racing .
An underrated pony that deserves support is #7 Port Tawny (6-1), Keeneland’s Lexington S. (G3) winner before finishing seventh in the Kentucky Derby. Tawny Port’s post-Derby campaign began with victory over White Abarrio and was followed by Belmont Derby (G1) Classic Causeway winner in the Ohio Derby (G3), with Tawny Port finishing third at Jim Dandy. In the second race, Tawny Port did not have the clearest run compared to the competitors, but still finished only two stages behind Epicenter and half way behind Zandon.
We also have to admit #6 We are human (12-1) as a pacesetting threat. The Pennsylvania Derby isn’t exactly cramming speed on paper, so We’re the ones who are qualified to shake off an untested lead and exceed expectations. He dominated the 1 1/8 mile Peter Pan S. (G3) in the spring with 10 1/4 in length, then finished fourth in the Belmont S. (G1) and second in the West Virginia Derby ( G3) while posting three -digit Brisnet Speed ratings.
On the other hand, We the People is done #4 Skippylongstocking (10-1) in each of his last starts. Skippylongstocking achieved the classic spot of finishing third in front of a strong ball court in Belmont and then using speed-tracking tactics to get ahead of We the People in the West Virginia Derby, so the pony improved. This may have the speed to take a smooth ride in the Pennsylvania Derby. The inclusion of superfecta betting is a must.
Option
First: Taiba
Monday: Cyberknife
Tuesday: Zandon
Wednesday: Port Tawny
Now it’s your turn! Who do you like in the Pennsylvania Derby?
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J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, cinematographer, voice actor, amputee, and horse racing enthusiast. A huge fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager the greatest racehorse ever made in America, but considers the Zenyatta his all-time favorite.
