Hot Rod Charlie heads Pennsylvania Derby field; Medina Spirit withdrawn
Four of the top seven finishers from the Kentucky Derby were part of a 10-horse field entered Monday for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing. However, Medina Spirit will be withdrawn from the race, trainer Bob Baffert told the Parx notes team.
The scratch leaves Hot Rod Charlie as a solid favorite in a field of nine.
“I want to do what is best for the horse,” Baffert said Tuesday morning after arriving back in California from the Keeneland September sale. “I don’t like the way he drew.”
Medina Spirit, who drew post 9 for the Pennsylvania Derby, crossed the wire first in the Kentucky Derby, one length in front of Hot Rod Charlie, who was third. Other runners in the Pennsylvania Derby who competed in the Kentucky Derby are Midnight Bourbon (sixth) and Keepmeinmind (seventh).
Medina Spirit’s Kentucky Derby victory is in question after he tested positive for betamethasone, a regulated corticosteroid, in his post-race sample.
Following his third in the Kentucky Derby, Hot Rod Charlie finished second behind Essential Quality in the Belmont Stakes. After returning to Southern California, Hot Rod Charlie shipped back east to Monmouth Park for the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on July 17. Though he crossed the wire first, a nose in front of Mandaloun, Hot Rod Charlie was disqualified and placed last for interfering with Midnight Bourbon, who clipped heels, stumbled, and unseated jockey Paco Lopez in deep stretch.
Trainer Doug O’Neill was planning to run Hot Rod Charlie in the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 21 at Del Mar, but felt the horse needed more time.
“Within a week or so [after the Haskell], his energy level wasn’t what it needed to be so we gave him some time and let him tell us when to start back,” said O’Neill, who shipped Hot Rod Charlie to Parx on Sunday.
Following the Haskell incident, Midnight Bourbon trained forwardly enough for trainer Steve Asmussen to give the Travers a shot. He came within a neck of upsetting Essential Quality while running a career-best 107 Beyer Speed Figure.
The field for the Pennsylvania Derby, in post order, is Fulsome, Keepmeinmind, Speaker’s Corner, Weyburn, I Am Redeemed, Bourbonic, Hot Rod Charlie, Midnight Bourbon, Medina Spirit, and Americanrevolution.
The Pennsylvania Derby at 1 1/8 miles will go as race 12 on a card that begins at 12:05 p.m.
In the $1 million Cotillion, for 3-year-old fillies, Coaching Club American Oaks winner Maracuja, and Alabama second- and third-place finishers Clairiere and Army Wife head a field of nine scheduled to run 1 1/16 miles.
The race includes Obligatory and Always Carina who are both attempting to stretch out around two turns. Will’s Secret, Allworthy, Private Mission, and Leader of the Band also were entered. Baffert said Private Mission also will scratch.
In other stakes on Saturday’s Parx card:
◗ Multiple Grade 1 winner Jackie’s Warrior will use the Grade 3, $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes for 3-year-olds at six furlongs as his final tune-up for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar. He drew the outside stall in a seven-horse field that, from the rail out, includes Real Talk, Newbomb, Awesome Gerry, Pickin’ Time, Marvalous Mike, and Beren.
◗ Silver State, the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap winner and third-place finisher in the Grade 1 Whitney, and two-time Grade 1 winner Mind Control head a field of eight entered in the $200,000 Parx Dirt Mile. Others entered include Dreams Untold, Informative, Rock On Luke, Thorny Tale, Warrior’s Charge, and West Will Power.
◗ The filly Caravel will against take on 11 males in the Grade 3, $300,000 Turf Monster at five furlongs.
◗ Marathon specialist Moretti and Math Wizard, the 2019 Pennsylvania Derby winner, head a field of nine for the Grade 3, $200,000 Greenwood Cup at 1 1/2 miles.