There are plenty of great reasons to jump into the Pennsylvania Derby Day action at Xpresset and 1/ST BET, including a no-brainer promotion for the afternoon. Simply, register, bet $150 on the Saturday card at Parx, and get $25. Here is how I plan to bet my $150:
Race 10: Turf Monster (G3)
There is a lot of early speed signed on in this 5-furlong sprint over the lawn, so leaning on runners that are at their best when loose on the lead might not be the optimal strategy.
I like #6 Alogon best. The son of California Chrome got caught up in an early duel two-back at Colonial, but he rebounded in a big way last out in his win in the Parx Dash over this same course and distance. The Edward Allard trainee should find a comfortable spot a few lengths off the early leaders, which should allow jockey Jaime Rodriguez to get first run. If so, he has a big shot to make it two in a row.
I will bet Alogon to Win and then hook him up with #1 Smooth B and #8 Senbei in exactas. Smooth B is winless in sixteen starts over the turf, but has hit the board in half of those efforts. If this falls apart, he could be the one making the last move. #8 Senbei is more logical, but might get over bet based on his connections. That said, he should get a favorable trip under one of the best in the game in Irad Ortiz Jr.
Plays:
$30 Win 6
$10 Exacta 6 with 1+8
$5 Exacta 1+8 with 6
Total = $50
Race 11: Gallant Bob (G2)
A pair of Florida-breds are listed as the top two choices on the morning line in this year’s Gallant Bob. 9-5-morning line choice #1 Bertonato comes in off a pair of underneath finishes in stakes races, including two-back when he ran third in the Saudi Derby (G3) to Forever Young. His best down in the Sunshine State beats this field, but I am concerned about his rail draw and the fact second choice #3 Buccherino is a little quicker and draws outside of him.
Buccherino beat three of his rivals in the Gallant Bob last out in the $75k Salvatore M. Debunda Sprint, but he did not have to deal with Bertonato in that late August run. These two very well could compromise each other’s chances during the first half-mile, which hopefully sets things up for a runner from off the pace at a bigger price.
The one I like most is #5 Maximus Meridius. The Butch Reid trainee was defeated handily last out by Buccherino, but now the blinkers come off in his second start of the form cycle. Combine the equipment change with the presence of Joel Rosario and it seems likely the game plan will be to take a hold early and come with one run late.
I will bet Maximus Meridius to Win and tie him up with a couple of prices in the exotics. #6 Practically Dark was off slow in the aforementioned stake last month and never got into the race. Now the blinkers go on and the son of Practical Joke gets a massive jockey upgrade to Flavien Prat. I expect a big move forward. #2 Awesome Ruta could get outrun early, but if he can stay within shouting distance on the backstretch, he should be rolling late on the turnback for trainer Dan Ward. He is definitely worth including as the biggest price on the board.
Plays:
$40 Win 5
$10 Exacta 5 with 2+6
$5 Exacta 2+6 with 5
Total= $70
Race 13: Pennsylvania Derby (G1)
The biggest race of the year in PA did not come up as strong in some years making the task a bit easier for 9-5-morning line favorite #7 Dragoon Guard. The Juddmonte homebred did not compete on the Derby Trail because he got off to a late start to his 3YO campaign, but has been dominant in four races in 2024 for trainer Brad Cox. The question is how will he handle things if he gets pressured early. Not only is there a lot of speed on paper, but there are also two colts that tried new tactics in the Travers (G1) that are likely to be ridden far more aggressively on Saturday.
For this reason, I will take a chance with a horse that I hope is ready for a career best effort in #5 Protective. The Repole Stable colt comes in with just one win and it came last out at 1-20 in a four-horse field at the Spa, but he has some races to go back to that could put him in the mix. Particularly, his solid third in the Wood Memorial (G2) back in April. I expect Irad Ortiz Jr. to angle over and save ground early and hopefully come with a big run when they turn for home. If the race shape plays out as I hope, he is not without a chance at what should be a solid price.
I will bet Protective to Win and play him with #11 Stronghold in exactas. The Ghostzapper colt ran a solid seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1) before going to the sidelines. He was handled by Dragoon Guard in the Indiana Derby (G3) when we saw him last, but he was in tight and lost a few lengths early on when he got shuffled back. With the outside draw and a patient Antonio Fresu aboard, I expect the Phil D’Amato trainee to relax off the early pace and make his move on the far turn. That very well could be the right trip in this year’s PA Derby.
Plays:
$20 Win 5
$5 Exacta Box 5+11
Total $30
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