Breeders’ Cup Fantastic Finishes: A Legendary Streak Halted
Three-year-old fillies will get one last chance for Grade 1 laurels in their own division Saturday in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing. Contested at 1 1/16 miles, the Cotillion marks the last Grade 1 of the year on dirt restricted to 3-year-old fillies. They subsequently will have to face older rivals in a Grade 1 test such as the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff. The Cotillion is also part of a great, 15-race card at Parx Racing, topped by the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby for 3-year-old males.
1. My Miss Mo (5-1 morning-line odds): Has not raced since late July but is training smartly for her Grade 1 debut. Exits a win in the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks that followed a 1 ¾-length victory in the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and will get tested for top-level class here.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr.
2. Bodacious Bay (8-1): Makes her first start for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. after running second by 1 ½ lengths to My Miss Mo in the Monmouth Oaks. Also sports some fast workouts in preparation for facing Grade 1 company for the first time. Merits some attention here.
JOCKEY: Micah Husbands; TRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr.
3. Zany (9-2): Comes off two disappointing tries when fourth in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks and a sixth in the Longines Kentucky Oaks. Was second in the Grade 1 Central Bank Ashland Stakes earlier in the year and a return to top form makes her a big threat.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
4. Always a Runner (8-5): The Kentucky Oaks winner was second in her next two starts: the Grade 1 DraftKIngs Acorn Stakes June 5 and the CCA Oaks July 25. Has never been worse than second in five career starts and looks like the one to beat.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Chad Brown
5. Iron Orchard (12-1): Returned to top form with a dazzling 12-length win in a New York-bred stakes at Saratoga. Makes a big class jump here, but won the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes last year. Also has the kind of speed that makes her a threat to steal this on the front end.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
6. Savor It (30-1): Seems overmatched after going off at 140-1 in the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks and 62-1 in the Black-Eyed Susan. Little to like here.
JOCKEY: Francisco Martinez; TRAINER: Uriah St. Lewis
7. Ms Sophistication (15-1): Was second in the Cathryn Sophia Stakes here and should benefit from that experience. Faces a tough task in her graded stakes debut.
JOCKEY: Paco Lopez; TRAINER: Jorge Duarte Jr.
8. Measure (4-1): Only missed by a neck in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes Presented by Keeneland Sales and should be a major player here. Was third in the CCA Oaks and if there’s a concern, it’s that she may want more distance.
JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Mark Casse
9. Tap to Open (8-1): Won the Cathryn Sophia in her stakes debut. Is on a nice upswing but the outside post could pose a problem in this field.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox
THE PICK: Always a Runner
LIVE LONGSHOT: Iron Orchard
SUPERFECTA: 4-8-5-1