Exotics Plays for the Cotillion Stakes

Four of the nine sophomore fillies entered in Saturday’s $1 million Cotillion (G1) at Parx have previously achieved success at the graded stakes level, led by a pair of Grade 1 heroines.

Cotillion Exotics

• $12 exacta 4 with 5 ($12)
• $6 exacta box 4-5 ($12)
• $2 trifecta key 4 with 3,5,8 ($12)
• 10-cent superfecta 3,4,5 with 3,4,5,8 with 3,4,5,8 with all ($10.80) 

Kentucky Oaks (G1) queen #4 Always a Runner (8-5) has had to settle for second-place finishes behind the fantastic Counting Stars in her last pair of endeavors, but the Gun Runner filly could surely get back to her winning ways in her local debut. Trained by Chad Brown, the dark bay miss cuts back in distance after going nine panels in four straight appearances, and I feel as though the move will benefit her on Saturday. The classy Kentucky-bred has a versatile running style and will sit a very good trip off a solid pace in the early going, prior to making her move approaching the turn for home. Regular pilot Jose Ortiz will be up. 

#5 Iron Orchard (12-1), the other Grade 1 victress in the cast, couldn’t have looked much better in her 12-length romp in the Fleet Indian S. at Saratoga last time out for conditioner Steve Asmussen. The $2.5 million November purchase hasn't been the most consistent horse in training up to this stage of her development, but she is awfully tough when she gets in the race early, and I think she will receive a great voyage in her first run in the Keystone State. The daughter of Authentic picks up Luis Saez and will be forcing the action from the break at an attractive price. 

Todd Pletcher’s #3 Zany (9-2) was unbeaten as a juvenile while looking like a budding superstar, but has yet to find that form as a three-year-old. In her defense, the American Pharoah filly has faced some serious runners this campaign, and she will improve while running with blinkers on for the second time as well. I don’t love her profile as a win threat, but I also won’t be surprised if she pulls off the mild upset either. John Velazquez will ride the chestnut. 

#8 Measure (4-1) split a fantastic duo in the Alabama (G1) at The Spa in her latest venture and will be formidable with any kind of forward move off of that showing. The $250,000 daughter of Essential Quality has been very good this season, and while the cutback in distance is a bit of a concern to me, there is no way I can omit her in this offering. She zipped a bullet four furlongs in preparation for the affair, and Manny Franco will guide the prime exotics contender.