Stakes Pick 3 for Parx on Saturday

The signature day of racing at Parx will take place on Saturday where the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) leads a massive card with 11 black-type races on it. I’m very interested in the three-race sequence that precedes the pair of Grade 1 tilts on the card, and below is how I see the events taking shape.

Race 9 Wager

• $1 Pick 3: 1,3,7,8 with 3,6,10 with 1,5 ($24)

Race 9 – Parx Dirt Mile S. 

A solid and well-matched field of eight will go postward in the two-turn endeavor, and I have to use a few of the contenders to get out of the first leg. I’ve long liked #3 Injunction (6-1) and will make a win play on him at a nice price. Claimed by Bill Cowans two back, the six-year-old chestnut has very good current form, and he also owns an 11-3-6-0 mark at eight furlongs. The Skipshot gelding will have Edgar Morales in the silks. 

#8 Film Star (5-1) aced the off-the-turf Lure S. at Saratoga most recently and has the back class for conditioner Linda Rice. The 2023 Woodward S. (G1) runner-up will be a force with his best showing under Irad Ortiz, Jr. I’ll also include #7 Coastal Mission (5-2) and #1 Movisitor (8-1), who finished second and third, respectively, in the Salvator Mile (G3) at Monmouth in June. 

Race 10 – Turf Monster S. (G3)

The five furlong grassy dash is always a fun race for me as the turf sprint division has really grown on me in recent times.  I feel that I can advance to the final leg of the wager by using a trio of runners in the heat, which is loaded with early speed. The consistently good #3 Souper Quest (5-2), top pick #6 Alogon (5-1), and upset contender #10 Boat’s A Rockin (8-1), are my three. 

Race 11 – Gallant Bob S. (G2)

An octet of three-year-olds will speed six panels on the main strip in the closing leg of the sequence. If #1 Bentornato (9-5) moves forward in his second appearance since returning from his third-place showing in the lucrative Saudi Derby (G3), then the multiple stakes victor will be formidable from the rail. The son of Valiant Minister will be a popular single on many tickets with Irad in the silks, and deservedly so. 

I’ll also include #5 Maximus Meridius (5-1) who will race with blinkers off in this one. The Butch Reid trainee had a useful prep for the dash, and he could sit a fine trip behind the expected contested early pace, as well. He wouldn’t be a surprise if the race unfolds like I expect it to with Joel Rosario taking the reins. 

Good Luck!