Emmanuel, a five-time graded stakes winner trained by Michael Maker, will be an overwhelming favorite in the $150,000 Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup Stakes at Penn National on Friday. The 6-year-old is still looking for his first victory this year, but Maker seems to have found an ideal spot for his seasoned veteran. “Looks like a good spot,” Maker said. “Finally get a win since we purchased him last year.” After running in 18 consecutive graded stakes going back to March 2022, Emmanuel made his 2025 debut in a $100,000 handicap at Gulfstream Park in January. It was his first performance on synthetic and he clearly didn’t take to it, finishing dead last in a field of 11. Maker didn’t enter the horse in another race until May, when he ran in the $200,000 Lake Ouachita at Oaklawn Park. It was his first start on dirt since the Grade 1 Blue Grass in April 2022, and he faded to fourth, 10 3/4 lengths behind Saudi Crown and Mystik Dan., who were separated by a nose. Finally back on turf in the $250,000 Texas Turf Classic at Lone Star Park in June, Emmanuel finished fourth again but in an improved performance. He was no match for Stay Hot, who went on to finish third in the Grade 2 Eddie Read, but the defeat in Texas should prepare him well for the 1 1/16-mile Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup. Not only is Emmanuel the only horse in the field of six exiting a stakes race, he is the only runner coming out of a turf route. Three of his rivals ran on dirt last time out, while the other two have been competing at sprint distances on turf and synthetic. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. Boat’s a Rockin, the 3-1 second choice trained by Brandon Kulp, will stretch out in distance after 15 straight starts in turf sprints, including a near-miss in allowance company at Colonial Downs earlier this month. He will be the likely pacesetter on Friday, though others in the field could chase close behind. Marshall Jenney Trainer Michael Salvaggio Jr. is wary of several changes as Fierce and Strong returns home to Penn National for the $75,000 Marshall Jenney Stakes. Coming off three straight victories, the 5-year-old gelding is the one to beat if the race remains on turf. “I think it’ll help him coming out of his own stall,” Salvaggio said. “He likes the turf course here, so I don’t think that’s going to be a problem. I think he’s the best horse.” Though he has won six of his eight career starts at Penn National, Fierce and Strong will have to make several adjustments against Pennsylvania-bred rivals on Friday, starting with an unfortunate rider change. Jockey Tyler Conner, who guided the gelding to five career victories, and all three this year, announced his retirement earlier this month after being injured at Colonial Downs on July 24. Julio Hernandez will take over for Conner and has had his own share of success with Fierce and Strong, having been aboard for four victories in 2023 and 2024. Conner will still be missed, however, as his work with the gelding this year has been a major factor in his improvement. In the $100,000 Wolf Hill last time out, Fierce and Strong ran the best race of his career to take down a stiff open-company field at Monmouth Park by 1 3/4 lengths. :: Subscribe to the DRF Post Time Email Newsletter: Get the news you need to play today's races!  The other change worrying Salvaggio is the cutback to five furlongs, which could leave the 2-1 morning-line favorite too far behind the early leaders. Trainer Butch Reid is sending out full brothers Fore Harp and Smooth B in an attempt to capitalize on this scenario. “Hopefully, [Fore Harp] will be on the lead and Smooth B will be running after him,” Reid said. Fore Harp finished seventh behind Fierce and Strong in the Wolf Hill after stumbling badly out of the gate and being hustled into a duel with talented speedster Nothing Better. He will likely go to the front again, but the 7-year-old should be challenged by Tarsus Warrior, a 4-year-old gelding trained by Brandon Kulp. If his stablemate wilts under the pressure and Fierce and Strong fires too late, Smooth B could end up in the perfect stalking position. The hard-knocking 10-year-old has participated in every running of the Marshall Jenney since 2019, winning it twice when it was taken off the turf at Parx Racing in 2022 and 2024. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.