The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Sept. 18 [VIDEO]

September 18th, 2025

The TwinSpires Jury of Ashley Anderson, Darin Zoccali, and Kyle Hampton discuss their best bets for Pennsylvania Derby (G1) Day at Parx and the Dogwood (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

The Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby is the highlight of Parx's 15-race program on Saturday. The penultimate race on the card will feature a rematch between Goal Oriented and Gosger, who faced each other in the Preakness (G1) and Haskell (G1) earlier this season.

Journalism got the better of both in those two starts, with Gosger finishing runner-up in the Preakness and Haskell. Goal Oriented was a 6 3/4-length fourth in the second leg of the Triple Crown after he checked when bumping with Journalism in upper stretch. He was third in the Haskell, a neck behind Gosger.

Other big names in the Pennsylvania Derby include Baeza, the 2-1 morning-line favorite, who comes off a length second to Sovereignty in the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy (G2). Graded stakes winner Magnitude is also among the 10-horse field.

One race earlier, the Cotillion (G1) attracted Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Good Cheer and Acorn (G1) victress La Cara. The latter will have speed to contend with, with Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) romper Scottish Lassie breaking from the rail post to the inside of La Cara.

In all, Parx will host seven stakes on Saturday. Churchill Downs will also offer four stakes that day, headlined by the seven-furlong Dogwood (G3). Multiple Grade 3 winner Echo Sound is the 9-5 morning-line favorite and drew post 1. She'll clash with Godolphin homebred Ragtime, a recent neck second in the seven-furlong Test (G1), and Prioress (G3) runner-up Delightful Claire.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT