Cage Fighter takes PTHA President's Cup

Cage Fighter proved best in the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association President’s Cup at Parx Racing on Saturday, benefitting from a perfect trip under jockey Joshua Navarro.

Cage Fighter, trained by James Lawrence III, raced on the pace outside of Chamois to the stretch of the 1 1/8-mile turf race. He got the best of that rival and then held 3-2 favorite Divine Oath at bay to win by 1 3/4 lengths. It was 1 3/4 lengths farther back to Chamois. Margano finished last in the four-horse field, which had five scratches.

Cage Fighter paid $6 as the third betting choice. He was timed over a good course in 1:53.74.

Cage Fighter is now 6 for 15 in his career. The PTHA President’s Cup was his first stakes win. Lawrence and owner Matthew Schera claimed Cage Fighter for $40,000 in August 2014 at Saratoga.