FURTHER ADO & THE PUMA meet again for Round 3 in the Pennsylvania Derby G1

One of the most competitive editions of the betPARX Pennsylvania Derby (G1) in recent years is set for Saturday at Parx Racing, where Further Ado, one of the leading names on this year’s Triple Crown trail, will try to recapture his best form against 10 rivals in the $1 million centerpiece of Pennsylvania Derby Day.

The 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby has attracted an accomplished field of 11 3-year-olds, including graded stakes winners The Puma, Iron Honor and Zihnal, along with stakes winners Our Moneyman, Igniter, Talk to Me Jimmy, Micanopy and Ponder and Dream.

But much of the attention will be focused on Further Ado, the 2-1 morning-line favorite, as the Brad Cox trainee attempts to rebound from a disappointing summer performance and reestablish himself among the leaders of the 3-year-old division.

Further Ado Looks to Recapture His Best Form

Owned by Spendthrift Farm, Further Ado emerged as one of the division’s major players after winning the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) as a 2-year-old and carrying that momentum into a strong spring campaign.

The son of Gun Runner captured the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland and Matt Winn Stakes (G3), performances that helped establish him as the favorite for the Kentucky Derby.

Further Ado enters Saturday with four victories from nine starts and $1,476,958 in earnings, easily the highest total among the Pennsylvania Derby entrants.

His most recent appearance, however, produced a fifth-place finish over a sloppy track in the Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park in late July.

Saturday offers an opportunity for redemption.

Further Ado drew post 7, and trainer Brad Cox will make a significant rider change, handing the reins to Flavien Prat for the first time.

The Puma Gets Another Grade 1 Opportunity

If there is one horse looking for a major breakthrough at Parx, it may be The Puma.

Trained by Gustavo Delgado for OGMA Investments, High Step Racing, TCC Stables and JR Racing, the son of Essential Quality established himself as a serious Kentucky Derby prospect earlier this year.

He won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) before missing by only a nose to Commandment in the Florida Derby (G1).

His Kentucky Derby opportunity disappeared on race morning when he was scratched because of leg swelling, forcing his connections to reset his campaign toward the summer and fall.

Since returning, The Puma has competed at the highest level, finishing fourth in both the Haskell Invitational (G1) and Travers Stakes (G1).

Now he gets another chance to secure the Grade 1 victory that has so far eluded him.

Javier Castellano rides The Puma from post 6 as the 4-1 second choice.

Iron Honor Brings Proven Grade 1 Form

Iron Honor arrives at Parx with one of the strongest recent Grade 1 résumés in the field.

The Chad Brown-trained son of Nyquist won the Gotham Stakes (G3) earlier this season before finishing second to Napoleon Solo in the Preakness Stakes (G1).

He followed that performance with a third-place finish in the Haskell, giving him consecutive Grade 1 placings heading into Saturday.

Owned by St. Elias Stable, William Lawrence and Glassman Racing, Iron Honor drew post 2 and will be ridden by Jose Ortiz.

At 5-1, he represents another major threat in a race without an overwhelming favorite.

Zihnal Returns After West Virginia Derby Victory

Zihnal will attempt to continue his progression after capturing the West Virginia Derby (G3) at Mountaineer Park.

The Jonathan Thomas trainee previously finished fourth in the Indiana Derby (G3) behind eventual Travers winner Leading Change and Pennsylvania Derby rival Our Moneyman.

The son of Quality Road draws the rail and reunites with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez.

He is listed at 8-1 on the morning line.

Our Moneyman Steps Into Grade 1 Company

One of the more intriguing contenders is Our Moneyman, who will make his Grade 1 debut for trainer Bret Calhoun.

The remarkably consistent son of Mr. Money has finished first or second in eight of his nine career starts.

He comes into Parx following runner-up efforts in both the Matt Winn (G3) and Indiana Derby (G3) and will have Manny Franco aboard from post 3.

Our Moneyman is another of the 8-1 contenders, along with Zihnal and Ellis Park Derby winner Igniter.

Local Contenders Take Their Shot

The Pennsylvania Derby will also feature the top three finishers from Parx’s major local prep, the $200,000 Smarty Jones Stakes.

Micanopy, Ponder and Dream and Freedom’s Echo finished 1-2-3 in the Smarty Jones and return to take their shot against Grade 1 competition.

There is additional incentive surrounding Micanopy.

Should the Florida-bred son of Uncle Chuck complete the Smarty Jones–Pennsylvania Derby double, owner Jane Perry and trainer Michael Simone would each collect a $50,000 bonus.

The Complete Pennsylvania Derby Field

The $1 million betPARX Pennsylvania Derby (G1):

1. Zihnal – Jonathan Thomas / John Velazquez – 8-1
2. Iron Honor – Chad Brown / Jose Ortiz – 5-1
3. Our Moneyman – Bret Calhoun / Manny Franco – 8-1
4. Igniter – Richard Dutrow Jr. / Luis Saez – 8-1
5. Talk to Me Jimmy – Rudy Rodriguez / Ruben Silvera – 12-1
6. The Puma – Gustavo Delgado / Javier Castellano – 4-1
7. Further Ado – Brad Cox / Flavien Prat – 2-1
8. Freedom’s Echo – Guadalupe Preciado / Paco Lopez – 20-1
9. Sassmaster – Todd Pletcher / Tyler Gaffalione – 10-1
10. Micanopy – Michael Simone / Paco Lopez – 15-1
11. Ponder and Dream – Robert Reid Jr. / Mychel Sanchez – 20-1

A Major Saturday at Parx Racing

The Pennsylvania Derby will be Race 14 of 15, with post time scheduled for 5:48 p.m. ET.

It shares top billing with the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies on a stakes-packed afternoon that begins at 10:35 a.m. ET.

Also featured are the $400,000 Gallant Bob Stakes (G2), $300,000 Parx Dirt Mile, $150,000 Greenwood Cup, $150,000 Liberty Bell Stakes, $150,000 Stable Recovery Stakes and $150,000 Philly Special.

With no dominant leader among this group and several horses carrying legitimate Grade 1 credentials, the Pennsylvania Derby shapes up as much more than a $1 million showdown.

For Further Ado, it is an opportunity to prove his spring campaign was no fluke and reclaim his place among the division’s elite. For The Puma and Iron Honor, it represents another coveted chance to secure a Grade 1 victory.

And for the rest of this deep field, Saturday at Parx offers the opportunity to produce a late-season breakthrough on one of the biggest stages for America’s 3-year-olds.

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