Duff makes turf debut in Crowd Pleaser

Parx Racing has carded two competitive handicaps for Pennsylvania-breds on Saturday, the Crowd Pleaser and the Power By Far.

The Crowd Pleaser, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, is carded as race 6. The Power By Far, a five-furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares, is race 8. Both races have $75,000 purses.

The Crowd Pleaser has a field of nine that includes an Augustin Stable entry in Street Fashion, trained by Jonathan Sheppard, and Cat Humor, trained by Graham Motion.

The 120-pound highweight is Duff, a two-time stakes winner at 2. He figures to face a strong challenge from Saham, who will be making his first start against Pennsylvania-breds.

Saham, trained by Kentucky-based Brendan Walsh, has only a maiden win to his credit but has been facing some stiff company in the Midwest. In his most recent race, Saham finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length by Thatcher Street, in a first-level turf allowance at Churchill Downs. Thatcher Street came back to finish second in the $100,000 J. Kenneth Self Shelby County Boys and Girls Club Stakes at Indiana Grand last Saturday.

In his prior start, Saham was second to Crittenden in the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund Stakes in Indiana. Crittenden has since finished second in the Grade 3 American Derby at Arlington Park.

Three starts ago, Saham finished third, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the Grade 3 Transylvania at Keeneland. The winner, Night Prowler, was beaten a head in the $500,000 Penn Mile next out.

Duff will be making his turf debut but has handled the synthetic track at Presque Isle well. He was beaten 2 1/4 lengths when fifth to the hard knockers Dynamic Strike and Roadhog last time out in the Leemat Stakes at Presque Isle.

Like Saham, Scattered will be making his first start against statebreds. He was fourth to the talented Donworth in the Stanton Stakes at Delaware Park on June 20. This will be Scattered’s turf debut.

Power By Far: Fast Kat overdue

Fat Kat is only 1 for 5 this year, but her good early speed makes her the horse to beat in the Power By Far, which has a field of 10, plus two also-eligibles.

In her last start, an open, third-level optional claimer, Fat Kat showed that she can handle turf. She has had a seven-week break between races, and jockey Frankie Pennington retains the mount.

Pennington, who has recently moved to his normal spot atop the Parx rider standings, also has been riding Kiss the Daddy, a top contender in the Power By Far. Kiss the Daddy has won a first-level allowance and a $25,000 starter race under Pennington in her two most recent starts.

Two late runners in the field who merit attention are Royal Renege and Pixie Dust.

Royal Renege didn’t fire in the July 12 Northern Fling Stakes at Presque Isle but won the Lyphard Stakes at Penn National on May 30.

Pixie Dust, on her best day, has a strong closing kick. She somehow ended up on the lead in a second-level turf race going seven furlongs at Belmont Park on July 9.