Parx: Rush Now capitalizes when First Responder moved from turf to dirt

The decision to switch Saturday’s $75,000 First Responder Stakes at Parx Racing from turf to the main track folowing heavy rains on Friday turned Rush Now from a huge question mark into a solid favorite.

The 4-year-old Rush Now ($3.60), who has never run on grass in his 18-race career, ran down pacesetter Ponzi scheme and scored a one-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile First Responder. It was the third straight win for the Tony Dutrow-trained Rush Now, who last year won the Spend a Buck at Monmouth and was second in the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby.

A son of Tiznow owned by David Cottle and Smart Angle LLC, Rush Now has now won 8 of 18 starts and $450,315. He ran the distance on a fast track in 1:45.45.

Ponzi Scheme held second at 2-1, finishing 2 ¼ lengths in front of Nibiru’s Return.