A field of 10 line up in Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (photo credit: Parx Racing)
The Kiaran McLaughlin trained Frosted was installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite for Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G2) at Parx.
The colt makes his first start since running third in the Travers (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 29. The son of Tapit competed in two of the Triple Crown races this spring, running fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and second tin the Belmont Stakes (G1).
His last victory came winning the Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct on April 4. Joel Rosario will be in the irons.
The Todd Pletcher trained Madefromlucky is the second choice on the morning line at 4-1. The colt has won four of his 10 career starts, taking the West Virginia Derby (G2) at Mountaineer Park in his last outing on Aug. 1. John Velazquez is in to ride.
The co-feature on the Parx card is the $1 million Cotillion (G1), a race that has actually overshadowed the Pennsylvania Derby by attracting quality fields the past few years. Recent winners include Untapable, Close Hatches, My Miss Aurelia, Plum Pretty and Havre de Grace.
This year’s morning line favorite is I’m a Chatterbox at 3-1. The Larry Jones trainee ran second in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Alabama (G1) in her last two starts.
Embellish the Lace is the 4-1 second choice. Trained by Tony Dutrow, the filly won the Alabama in her last outing. Take Charge Brandi, the 2014 Breeders; Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) champ is the 5-1 third choice.
Just a friendly reminder that Parx has the second highest takeout rate in the U.S when it comes to trifecta wagering at 30%. The only track higher is Penn National at 31%.
Parx is ranked 56th among 62 racetracks in the 2015 HANA Track Ratings. The track also offers superfecta wagering with a 30% takeout rate, which is the worst in the industry along with Penn.
The Pick 3 and Pick 4 rate is 26%, again one of the worst in the industry.
These rates are larcenous considering the tracks in Pennsylvania have purses that are subsidized by slots.
If you do decide to wager on the races at Parx (I will NOT be), stick to the win pool at 17% or the exacta pool at 20%, both competitive rates.
$1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G2)
1 – War Story Jeffrey Radosevich Deshawn Parker 15-1
2 – Island Town Ian Wilkes Brian Hernandez, Jr. 10-1
3 – Frosted Kiaran McLaughlin Joel Rosario 5-2
4 – Iron Fist Jerry Hollendorfer Mike Smith 8-1
5 – Madefromlucky Todd Pletcher John Velazquez 4-1
6 – Gimme Da Lute Bob Baffert Martin Garcia 5-1
7 – Tommy Macho Todd Pletcher Javier Castellano 10-1
8 – Battle Midway Nick Zito Aaron Gryder 20-1
9 – Upstart Richard Violette, Jr. Irad Ortiz, Jr. 9-2
10- Mr. Z D. Wayne Lukas Luis Saez 12-1
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