Derby winner...... Oaks winner ...... PARX winner!

A familiar theme every September the past few years is the exciting day of racing at a track that races year round and isn't one that gets much press..... expect this weekend. Philadelphia Park or better known as PARX racetrack in Bensalem PA, host two very big races for both sexes of the three year old class. The Cotillion Handicap for fillies and the Pennsylvania Derby for the males are the feature races of the day and since these races have moved away their traditional Labor Day date, they have attracted the best of their class in preparation for the Breeder's Cup in a little over a month from now.

This year both races have assembled the top runners in their respective classes. The Cotillion Handicap (11th) is a mile and a sixteenth and has produced winners five Eclipse award winners since it's first running in 1969. Great fillies like; Susan's Girl, Jostle, Ashado and most recently, Havre de Grace and Close Hatches. Today a field of nine is assembled with a Kentucky Oaks winner and Alabama Stakes heroine.

Untapable (#8) returns versus her own sex after a non-effort against the boys in the Haskell Invitational as the favorite. Up until that race, she was unbeatable this year. A strong candidate for three year old Eclipse filly honors, she's been working well and may prove tough to beat today if she bounces back to her winning form. Stopchargingmaria (#9) has taken over the reins as the best three year old filly off her three straight graded stake victories. She draws the far outside post with her rival just inside of her. Sweet Reason (#2) ranks just behind the top two fillies mention. She has won two grade I races at a mile and seven furlongs and today tries a route versus the best. Add with these three the Alabama longshot runner up; Joint Return (#4), graded stakes California invader; Jojo Warrior (#7) and "now horse" Cassatt (#1) from the rail and you have the makings of the best three year old filly race of the year. My selections here are : 1) Joint Return (#4) running down the leaders late. 2) Untapable (#8) bouncing back, but getting caught late after fending off the challengers. 3) Sweet Reason (#4) showing that she can run with the big girls, but coming up a little short.

The Pennsylvania Derby (12th) marks the return of Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness champion; California Chrome (#1). He draws the rail and has been working up a storm ever since his Belmont Stakes flop. He meets second tier runners here, but the main goal is the Breeder's Cup Classic. Once again, Bayern (#4) tries two turns after his flop as the favorite in the Travers Stakes. Not sure if he's a two turn horse, I'll gladly pass with him here! Tapiture (#7) was well thought of along the Derby prep trail early last spring. He has won two minor three year old stakes and returns again versus the big boys. Candy Boy (#2) rounds out the list of contenders here with two runner up finishes and hasn't came back to his early three year old and two year old form. My selections here are : 1) California Chrome (#1) he finds a good spot for his return and hopefully he handles the sometimes quirky PARX surface. 2) CJ's Awesome (#8) the much improved three year old, who looks like a nice price horse to use underneath the "chalk". 3) Candy Boy (#2) he runs his usual race and will get a piece. 4) Tapiture (#7) rounds out your superfecta plays!