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To Honor And Serve Sets Record in PA Derby

To Honor and Serve made a sweeping move past pacesetter Rush Now at the three-sixteenths pole and cruised to a dominating 2 1/4-length victory in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) Sept. 24 at Parx Racing.

2011 Pennsylvania Derby - Predict the Order

Nine three-year-olds battle at Parx Racing in the 1 1/8 mile Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II). Who will win it? How will the others finish?

Predict the Order

THS: Pennsylvania Derby 2011

Tom, Jason and Tim handicap the Pennsylvania Derby and Kent Stakes this week.

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Pennsylvania Derby Attracts Big Names

Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Ruler On Ice was made the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II), but by post time Sept. 24 most of the money could land on To Honor and Serve.

Pletcher Eyes Options for Stay Thirsty, 'Mo'

Trainer Todd Pletcher said Aug. 29 that Travers (gr. I) winner Stay Thirsty would most likely head to the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) and Uncle Mo's options include the Kelso (gr. II) and Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II).

Smarty Says Goodbye

Steve Haskin discusses Smarty Jones' farewell appearance in installment #4.

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New Names in Contention for Sophomore Honors

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
In most years, likely sophomore stars have made a name for themselves before mid-September. This year, Apart and Morning Line enter the scene right as autumn arrives.

Zito Wins Penn Derby Again With Morning Line

Passed in upper stretch by A Little Warm, Morning Line battled back along the rail to get up by a neck in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) to win his stakes debut for trainer Nick Zito at Parx Racing Sept. 25.

THS: Pennsylvania Derby and Super Derby

Jason, Tom, and Rich of TwinSpires.com preview the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) and the Super Derby (gr. II).

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First Dude Favored in Competitive Pa. Derby

First Dude, Exhi, and A Little Warm are among the competitive field of seven in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) on Sept. 25 at Parx Racing.

Three Stakes in Pennsylvania Get Grades Back

The American Graded Stakes Committee announced April 30 it has reached an agreement with the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission that will result in reinstatement of the grades to several stakes.

Pennsylvania Derby Moved to Late September

Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack has moved the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) to late September in an attempt to make it a final prep for the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Three Pennsylvania Races Lose Graded Status

The Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) and two other Pennsylvania races lost their graded status for 2009 because the state racing commission didn't follow a more extensive drug testing protocol required by the American Graded Stakes Committee.

Inside Track: On Top with Bunker Hill

Charlie Gillespie's 2% ownership of 3-year old colt Bunker Hill helps him cope with clinical depression.

Better Late Than Never for Ohio Derby

The Ohio Derby (gr. II), returned to the Thistledown stakes schedule only six weeks ago upon order of the Ohio State Racing Commission, has drawn a field of 13, including the winner of a $1-million race in his previous start.

Gone Astray Leaves 'em Behind in Pa. Derby

Phipps Stable's homebred Gone Astray wrapped up his first graded stakes victory in a big way, as he drew off in the stretch to score in the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) by 9 1/4 lengths Sept. 7 at Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack.

Soul Warrior Favored in Pennsylvania Derby

Nine 3-year-olds will face off in the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) Sept. 7 at Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack, led by Zayat Stables' Soul Warrior, the 3-1 morning line favorite.

'Rachel' Breezes at Spa; Next Start Unknown

Preakness-winning filly Rachel Alexandra put in her first work at Saratoga Race Course the morning of Aug. 11 in preparation for her as-yet-to-be-determined next start, covering a half-mile in :50.72 under exercise rider Dominic Terry.

Rachel Back On Training Track at Saratoga

Stonestreet Stable's Rachel Alexandra was on Saratoga's Oklahoma training track Aug. 6 for a gallop and will return to the work tab next week, most likely Aug. 11, trainer Steve Asmussen said.

Anak Nakal Nabs Pennsylvania Derby

Anak Nakal, rallying from far back for jockey Joe Bravo, got up in the final strides to defeat Acai in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park Sept. 1.

Contentious Pennsylvania Derby Draws 14

Does money draw a crowd? Look no further than the Sept. 1 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) for evidence it's true, as a full field of 14 3-year-olds were entered in the $1 million race, the signature event at Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack.

Smooth Air Headed to Pa. Derby

Mount Joy Stables' Smooth Air, who has been sidelined with foot problems since his impressive victory in the Ohio Derby (gr. II) May 31, is being pointed toward the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) Sept. 1, said trainer Bennie Stutts.

Philly Park Offers Record Stakes

Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack released a 2008 stakes schedule Feb. 21 that calls for 31 stakes to be run over the track's 12-month calendar, with purses totaling a record $5.475 million.

Timber Reserve Holds Off Xchanger in Pa. Derby

Prior to the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II), Timber Reserve had trouble getting into the gate. But once the 1 1/8-mile test began, there was no stopping Timber Reserve, who held off a stubborn Xchanger for most of the stretch to win by a neck at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack.

$1-Million Pennsylvania Derby Draws Large Field

Increase purses and they will come. That fact was proven Aug. 31, as 11 horses, many of them high-profile, were entered in the 28th running of the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II).

Borel Leaves the Spa But Says He'd Love to Return

Trying to catch Calvin Borel for an interview during his last day of racing at Saratoga was like attempting to pin down a darting dragonfly, and the Cajun jockey looked the part in Bill Farish's brilliant green and yellow silks as he scurried back to the private courtyard behind the jockeys' room before the fourth race of the day.

Stablemates Get Serious, Cable Boy Vie for $1M Pot

Trainer John Forbes, who will saddle lightly raced 3-year-old colts Get Serious and Cable Boy for the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack Sept. 3, discussed their chances Aug. 28 during a National Thoroughbred Racing Association media teleconference.

Trainers Target Street Sense as Travers Looms

With one week remaining until the $1-million Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course, top trainers in New York are aiming for a single target in the stalwart form of Street Sense, who will head up the field of the Aug. 25 "midsummer Derby" with a solid bullseye on his back.

Pennsylvania Derby Scrapped for 2006

Management at Philadelphia Park announced today that the 2006 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II), which was to carry a purse of $750,000 and was scheduled for Sept. 4 (Labor Day), has been cancelled.

Sun King Conquers Pennsylvania Derby

Tracy Farmer's favored Sun King overcame his outside post in a 14-horse field to easily win the $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) under Rafael Bejarano.

Pennsylvania Derby Lures Large Field of 14

For a summer race that plays second fiddle to the Travers Stakes (gr. I), the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) sure knows how to draw a nice field--and a large one at that.

Horsemen Happy With New Philly Park Track

Philadelphia Park's new racing surface gets its first test under competitive conditions on Saturday, but the initial response from horsemen has been encouraging.

Injured Jockey Bravo Plans September Return

Joe Bravo, who is still atop the Monmouth Park jockey standings despite not having ridden for more than a month, hopes to resume riding in early September. Bravo has been sidelined since suffering various injuries in a spill at Monmouth Park on July 21.

Philly Park Takes Rare Break for Surface Renovation

With the conclusion of training hours at noon Aug. 10, Philadelphia Park closed its main track for racing and training for 14 to 16 days, weather permitting, for renovation of the surface.

Love of Money Pays Off in Pennsylvania Derby

Making his stakes debut, little known Love of Money put Pollard's Vision away in the stretch and romped to a smashing 8 1/2-length victory in the $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park Monday.

Pennsylvania Derby: Bettor's Delight--and Nightmare

The $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) Sept. 6 is both a bettor's delight and nightmare, as 12 evenly matched 3-year-olds were entered in the 1 1/8-mile race, with almost every one of them having a legitimate shot to win.

Big Field Expected for Pennsylvania Derby

The $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) Sept. 6 may draw as many as 12 to 13 starters, in what promises to be a competitive race. Although the absence of Smarty Jones will be felt by the large holiday crowd, the 1 1/8-mile race is expected to draw some of the top 3-year-olds in the country.

Plate Winner Headed for Pennsylvania Derby

Chiefswood Stables' Queen's Plate winner Niigon will make his next start in the $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park on Labor Day Sept. 6, trainer Eric Coatrieux decided Thursday.

Smarty Jones Update: 'He's Doing Super'

Despite published reports that Smarty Jones had suffered a low-grade fever and a slightly elevated white-blood count, the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner is doing fine and is scheduled to work at the end of next week as he prepares for the Sept. 6 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II).

Separato's Late Kick Wins Presidents Cup

Separato swept from last to first with a dazzling closing kick to post a convincing five-length win Saturday in the $100,000 Larry Riviello Presidents Cup, Philadelphia Park's major prep for the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II).

Servis Says Smarty Jones Still on Track for Breeders' Cup

Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness (gr. I) winner Smarty Jones, who was declared Monday from the Sept. 6 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) with a bruise in his left front foot, is still on track for the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I), trainer John Servis said Tuesday.

No Smarty Party at Philly Park on Labor Day

Trainer John Servis has informed officials at Philadelphia Park that Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Smarty Jones will not start in the Sept. 6, $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II).

Smarty's Vacation is Over; Work Begins Next Week

Smarty Jones' vacation ends soon as the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner will begin serious workouts early next week in preparation for the Sept. 6 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park.

Smarty Jones May Return in Haskell; Pa. Derby On Tap

After talking to owner Roy Chapman Monday morning, trainer John Servis has mapped out a tentative plan for Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness (gr. I) winner Smarty Jones that includes the Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I), Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II), Pegasus Handicap (gr. III), and finally the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).

Mack Sells Grand Hombre to Darley; Breeders' Cup Classic is Goal

The 3-year-old gelding Grand Hombre, winner of all four of his starts by a combined 13 1/2 lengths, has been sold by owner/breeder Earle Mack to Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation. The price is believed to be in excess of $1.5 million.

Grand Hombre Remains Undefeated After Penn Derby Upset

Ridden by Joe Bravo, Earle Mack's Grand Hombre caught pacesetter Gimmeawink at the top of the stretch and drew off to a 5 1/4-length upset victory in the $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. III) at Philadelphia Park on Monday.

Dynever, Toccet Square Off in Penn Derby

Catherine Wills & Peter Karches' Dynever drew post position seven in a field of ten and was installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite for Monday's running of the $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. III) at Philadelphia Park.

HorseRacing TV to Showcase Pennsylvania Derby

The $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. III) at Philadelphia Park will be in the spotlight this week when HorseRacing TV (HRTV) begins extensive pre- and post-race coverage. The cable channel will broadcast the 1 1/8-mile race live on Sept. 1.

Saratoga Notebook: Frankel Squelches Rumor; Dynever Unlikely for Travers; Bailey Gets Wake-Up; Day Watches 'Most Wanted'

Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel made quick work of a rumor going around the backstretch Tuesday morning regarding Empire Maker's status for the Travers (gr. I).

Toccet Victorious in Return; Borislow Says Bring on Peace Rules

Although the margin was only three-quarters of a length, Dan Borislow's Toccet was in complete command through the stretch as he returned from an eight-month layoff to win the 1 1/16-mile Widener Stakes at Philadelphia Park Tuesday, a race written specifically for him.