The richest race ever held at Penn National Race Course in Harrisburg, PA will take place on Saturday in the form of the $500,000 Penn Mile. This grassy test for three-year-old turf runners tops a huge day of racing, with six stakes races totaling more than $1 million in purses. Among those nominated for this lucrative event are the top three finishers of the American Turf (G2) run on the Kentucky Oaks undercard.
Noble Tune is a sensational grass performer and could be the horse to beat if he goes this direction for conditioner Chad Brown. The son of Unbridled’s Song displayed a big turn of foot in his latest score and has room for improvement after just a pair of races in 2013. Admiral Kitten has been second in two straight, including that latest one behind the aforementioned, when he rallied into a slow pace to be a nice second. War Dancer, from the barn of Kenny McPeek, has finished in the top three in all four turf tries to date and wouldn’t be much of an upset with a win here.
Others possible for this test include Tattenham, who has crushed two fields to begin his career for trainer Bill Mott; Spiral S. (G3) fourth Taken by the Storm; Palm Beach S. (G3) romper Rydilluc for Gary Contessa; Transylvania S. (G3) hero Jack Milton, who was flattered when the horse he topped came back to romp in a subsequent stakes race; and stakes victor Brown Almighty.
Also on tap for the big day of racing here is the $250,000 Mountainview H. for runners going nine furlongs on the main oval, the $150,000 Governor’s Cup H, $60,000 E Dubai, $60,000 Silver Train and the $50,000 Penn Dash.