It is the biggest day on the racing calendar at Parx and the premier races came up competitive for 2025 Pennsylvania Derby Day. In addition to a strong 15-race card, Parx has stated that there will be a mandatory distribution of the Philly BIG 5. This 50-cent pick 5 wager is not to be confused with the association of college basketball teams in Philadelphia that includes the likes of Villanova and Temple. Here are my thoughts on the sequence.

Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.


Race 11: Parx Dirt Mile
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 3 Duke of Gloucester; 4 Dilger
Backups: None

Forecast: The sequence kicks off with this $300k event at one mile over the main track where last year’s winner #8 Coastal Mission was made the 3-1-ML favorite. The West Virginia-bred has won 14 of his 28 career starts and obviously fits well overall, but has not raced since early March. Last year when he won as the 7-5-public choice, he came into the race in solid form. I am willing to take a swing against him given the lack of racing prior to his return to Parx.

#4 Dilger is an obvious alternative that I will include, but I like #3 Duke of Gloucester most. The son of Air Force Blue has rattled off 2 wins in 3 starts since being claimed by trainer Michael Moore for $40k in July. This includes a victory on September 14 at Laurel. The quick return might seem less than ideal, but Moore is 6 for 16 with a $2.30 ROI over the last 5 years when wheeling horses back on 7 days rest or less. Hopefully, we get the 8-1-ML offering.


Race 12: Gallant Bob (G2)
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 10 Neoequos; 1 Retribution
Backups: None

Forecast: This 6-furlong sprint came up strong given the presence of 2-1-ML favorite #5 Barnes. The one-time serious Kentucky Derby contender came back off the layoff last month and ran well in the H. Allen Jerkens (G1). This is a softer spot and a repeat of that makes him tough, but he is likely to take far too much money given the field he encounters.

I like #10 Neoequos most. The Saffie Joseph trainee competed on the Derby trail and the “Run for the Roses”, but has probably always been best at one-turn. I can forgive his run in the Woody Stephens (G1) when caught wide over the mud three-back and his runner-up finish at Charlestown last out in what is a two-turn 7-furlong configuration. He should get a great trip from the outside off a lively early pace. #1 Retribution is a must use as well. The Cherie DeVaux trainee really has never run a poor race. The inside draw might not be ideal, but he should be finishing well assuming a clean trip under Kendrick Carmouche.


Race 13: Cotillion (G1)
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 3 Clicquot; 7 Good Cheer *pictured*
Backups: 1 Scottish Lassie

Forecast: #1 Scottish Lassie and #7 Good Cheer headline the field for this Grade 1 test for 3YO fillies. Scottish Lassie was awesome when we saw her last in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), but that was in mid-July. She bypassed the Alabama (G1) and looms large if she can repeat that dazzling performance at Saratoga, but I am concerned about regression.

#7 Good Cheer ran poorly in the Acorn (G1), but was up against it that day given the track profile. She lost little in defeat finishing second last out in the aforementioned Alabama to Nitrogen and is probably the one to beat. That said, #3 Clicquot is the one to bet. The lightly-raced Quality Road filly has rattled off three dominant wins against lesser since dueling and tiring on debut at Gulfstream Park. She has been freshened up and attracts the best rider on the grounds. Hopefully, she is up for the class hike!


Race 14: Pennsylvania Derby (G1)
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 8 Baeza
Backups: 4 David of Athens; 9 Gosger

Forecast: Finally, it will be someone other than Sovereignty or Journalism winning a Grade 1 event for 3YOs. The top two in the crop will not compete in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) leaving things wide open for #8 Baeza. I can understand wanting to take a shot against a horse that is going to be below 2-1 with just 1 win under his belt. The problem with that is he has been far more competitive with the big two than anyone else. The McKinzie colt should get a great trip and prove he is the third best of his crop on Saturday afternoon.

Trainer Brendan Walsh has to beat the favorite, but he holds a strong 1-2-punch in the 9-furlong test over the main track. #9 Gosger is the obvious contender. The son of Nyquist has rattled off back-to-back career best efforts when finishing second to Journalism in the Preakness (G1) and Haskell (G1). Another move forward and he could be tough to get by late. His stablemate #4 David of Athens has a lot more to prove, but comes into his first stakes start off of a big effort at Ellis Park. The fellow Nyquist colt has never run a bad race and has more of a ceiling at this point than most of his competition.


Race 15:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 1 Full Moon Madness
Backups: 11 Damon’s Mound

Forecast: The Philly BIG5 concludes with this 6.5-furlong sprint where I lack creativity. 3-1-ML favorite #11 Damon’s Mound should benefit finally getting off the inside and stalking off a fast pace, but I prefer second choice #1 Full Moon Madness. The Jay Em Ess Stable homebred comes in fresh, but I am not concerned since he fired a big shot last November off a longer break. The Into Mischief gelding took advantage of a perfect pocket trip in his win at Delaware Park in mid-June and should get a similar voyage in his first local start.

Good luck!