Tipsheet: The 2026 Pennsylvania Derby
The Puma wins the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photos)
A talented and well-matched field of 11 three-year-olds will run nine panels on the main oval at Parx in Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1).
Pennsylvania Derby Picks
- #6 The Puma
- #1 Zihnal
- #2 Iron Honor
- #7 Further Ado
Pennsylvania Derby Wagers
Pennsylvania Derby Contenders
#1 ZIHNAL: Jonathan Thomas trainee earned his first graded win aided by the addition of blinkers in the West Virginia Derby (G3) last time and has a high ceiling. The Quality Road gelding has posted four solid morning drills ahead of the heat and is well drawn on the fence with John Velazquez coming in to retain the ride.
#2 IRON HONOR: Preakness (G1) runner-up was third in the Haskell (G1) last time and comes in with the blinkers back on in this spot. The Chad Brown trainee comes in with steady works in preparation for his local bow and will never be far back with Jose Ortiz in the stirrups.
#3 OUR MONEYMAN: Sharp Louisiana-bred brought a hefty $2 million in the summer and comes off a game second behind subsequent Travers (G1) star Leading Change in Indiana last time out. The consistently good son of Mr. Money has won or placed in all nine lifetime runs in advance of the tilt and could be the one with a step in the right direction off the shelf with Manny Franco in the silks.
#4 IGNITER: Richard Dutrow trainee ran off to a big score in the Ellis Park Derby in his latest showing and will make his second two-turn run in this tilt. The Volatile colt has good early foot as well as a nice closing kick, and if the chestnut can handle the added ground on Saturday, he will be in the mix late with Luis Saez in for the ride.
#5 TALK TO ME JIMMY: Multiple stakes-winning son of Modernist had a tricky voyage when second to a nice winner at Saratoga last time and comes in as a pace player, if not more, for trainer Rudy Rodriguez. The New York-bred colt could peak a third time off the short layoff while forwardly placed throughout under Ruben Silvera.
#6 THE PUMA: Classy Grade 3 winner has run well in every lifetime run leading up to this contest and gets the nod in this one. The chestnut son of Essential Quality has placed fourth in both the Haskell and Travers (G1) as of late, and the sophomore will also add blinkers for the first time here. Javier Castellanho will take the reins.
#7 FURTHER ADO: Brad Cox pupil is a Grade 1 victor who can be electric on his best day and is the deserving morning-line choice in the deep field. The chestnut son of Gun Runner didn’t handle the slop at Monmouth last time, but he was very good in his score two back and has also trained well leading up to this event, too. The Kentucky-bred colt will have Flavien Prat in the silks for the first time.
#8 FREEDOM’S ECHO: Local hope was a distant third in the Smarty Jones S. last time and will need a huge move forward in this one for Preciado. The son of Independence Hall will flash some early foot in his toughest test to date.
#9 SASSMASTER: Lightly raced sort from the Pletcher shedrow has won a pair of races in succession going two turns against elders and gets a look in his stakes debut. The well-bred son of Curlin is proven at the trip, and he could sit a nice trip behind a potentially contested early tempo with Tyler Gaffalione accepting the mount.
#10 MICANOPY: Uncle Chuck gelding bagged the Smarty Jones last time out and will make his graded stakes debut in this endeavor. The former $8,000 claimer is surely in good form in advance of the race, but the class rise is major, and others are much more appealing in this spot. Paco Lopez will be in the silks.
#11 PONDER AND DREAM: Speedy son of Uncle Lino has won or placed in all nine lifetime runs on the course and checked in second in the Smarty Jones on the surface last time out. The chestnut will be in the mix early from the outside slot, but the Keystone State-bred would be a big surprise under the guidance of Mychel Sanchez.
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