September 19, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Rested and Raring to Go
The last two starts have been tantamount to a championship hangover for 2024 Preakness (G1) winner Seize the Grey, but the 3-year-old colt can right the ship in Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx.
After a momentous gate-to-wire victory at 9-1 in the second jewel of the Triple Crown, Seize the Grey faltered to seventh in the Belmont (G1) on Jun. 8.
It was more of the same in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy on Jul. 27. Despite a drop in class, the D. Wayne Lukas protégé landed in fourth.
However, there is reason for optimism heading into the PA Derby, as Seize the Grey should be well-rested following a much deserved eight-week layoff.
The Jamie Torres mount enters at 5-1.
Class of Her Own
The second Grade 1 tilt, and fifth of the graded variety on Parx’s Saturday card, the $1 million Cotillion (G1), features the top 3-year-old filly in North America in Thorpedo Anna.
With six wins and more than $2.2 million banked across eight lifetime starts, Thorpedo Anna has been nothing short of a marvel.
The four-time graded stakes winner, who has never finished below second place, is sure to be a force in the Cotillion after missing out on last month’s Travers (G1) by just a head.
The Travers miss ended a four-race win streak and stands as the only blemish on an exquisite 2024 campaign (5: 4-1-0).
Thorpedo Anna opens as the 4-5 favorite.
Dogged Competitor
My Mane Squeeze (5-2) is set to contest her sixth graded stakes of 2024 when she takes on eight other hopefuls in the $300,000 Dogwood (G3) on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
The 3-year-old filly graduated to the graded ranks in March following a stretch of three consecutive stakes scores that started in October 2023.
While she struggled in her first endeavor (eighth in the Grade 2 Fantasy), My Mane Squeeze showed incredible resolve with a two-length Eight Belles (G2) win next time out.
The Michael Maker trainee has yet to find the winner’s circle in three starts since but has shown steady improvement with each passing race (fourth in the Grade 1 Acorn, third in the Grade 1 Test, and second in the Grade 2 Charles Town Oaks).
Should the upward trajectory continue in the Dogwood, My Mane Squeeze would eclipse the $1 million career earnings milestone.
A Dream Come True
For Gulfstream Park regular Beth’s Dream, taking the $220,000 Princess Rooney (G3) on home soil would be a dream come true.
Not only would a successful trip around the track keep the Victor Barboza Jr. trainee perfect through five 2024 starts, but it would also represent the 6-year-old mare’s first graded conquest and an automatic bid to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
With no shortage of outcomes on the line, Beth’s Dream and rider Emisael Jaramillo will need to conjure up a performance reminiscent of the Sheer Drama Handicap, which saw the pair lead throughout for a 4-length triumph.
The Florida native is well-positioned as the 9-5 opening line choice.
Across the Americas
Not since Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami (MLS) has there been this much excitement over an Argentinian ace taking their talents stateside.
On Saturday, champion filly Edict (ARG), fresh off a pair of impressive Group 1 scores, will make her North American debut in the $175,000 Noble Damsel (G3T) at Aqueduct.
The 4-year-old is set for her first run under the tutelage of trainer David Donk, a multiple graded stakes winning conditioner who’s earned more than $47 million across 826 wins and counting.
Edict (12-1) has been training in New York since June and has handled the transition quite well according to Donk.
Now, all that’s left to do for the Jose Antonio Gomez charge is to pass the one-mile turf test.
