Double Play for the Penn Oaks/Mile

A pair of stakes races for sophomores on the grass will highlight the major evening of racing at Penn National on Friday. 

Oaks/Derby Doubles

• $10 double 6 with 6,7 ($20)
• $5 double 1,6 with 6,7 ($20)

Race 5 – Penn Oaks

The $150,000 grassy contest for three-year-old fillies attracted seven in a well-matched affair. European import #6 Bandiagara (9-5) kept good company in her juvenile campaign in France, and I like her in her stateside debut. The gray daughter of Zelzal, who was purchased for more than $299,000 in December, has posted eight works in preparation for her first run for trainer Miguel Clement and will have Manny Franco in the saddle. 

#1 Vekoma View (4-1) didn’t endure a great trip in the Sanibel Island S. at Gulfstream Park most recently, and I expect her to move forward in her local bow. The George Weaver trainee might be the controlling pace of the race with Tyler Gaffalione in for the ride, and she could be brave late if she clears in the early going. 

Race 6 – Penn Mile (G3)

A group of seven-year-old boys will travel eight panels on the weeds in the feature, and a nice crew has been assembled. I like the pair of runners drawn to the outside of the group led by #7 Alpyland (5-2) for Mark Casse. The two-time stakes-winning son of Vekoma was a good fourth in the especially deep American Turf (G1) beneath the Twin Spires most recently, and the gelding figures to sit a perfect trip in this event. Javier Castellano will pilot the tactical bay and have him well placed at the top of the lane. 

Brian Lynch’s #6 Honey Dutch (2-1) has hit the board in five black-type races in succession and will look to break through with his first stakes win on Friday. The Knicks Go colt is Grade-1 placed, and the pace of the race, and the sophomore will be difficult to pass if things go his way, while forcing the action throughout. Tyler Gaffalione retains the mount, which is a big positive.