Platinum Paynter has plenty of opponents in Dr. James Penny Memorial
The large field for the Grade 3, $200,000 Dr. James Penny Memorial on Tuesday at Parx Racing could remain intact after at four of its entrants were declared from a Saturday stakes race at Belmont Park.
Princess Grace, Madita, Honey Cake, and Sunset Kiss were all scratched from the Perfect Sting, a race moved from turf to the main track at Belmont.
The Penny Memorial, which is for fillies and mares over a mile and a sixteenth on turf, drew a field of 11. The forecast for Tuesday is for a high of 95 degrees and a 5 percent chance of rain, according to The Weather Channel.
“I think we’ll be on the turf,” said trainer Juan C. Vazquez, who will saddle Platinum Paynter. “I hope. I think she’s a better horse on the grass.”
Platinum Paynter invades from Belmont, but she is 2 for 2 over the Parx turf course. Claimed for $12,500 last October at Parx, Platinum Paynter is looking for her first stakes win. She’s finished second or third in two stakes, including a third in the Grade 3 Beaugay on May 8 at Belmont. Platinum Paynter earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 94.
“She’s doing very well and she’s improved every race, really,” said Vazquez. “She’s a nice-size mare. She has a very good temperament. It’s very easy to train her.”
Platinum Paynter is owned by Just In Time Racing. She will break from post 5 under Ruben Silvera.
“There’s a lot of speed,” said Vazquez. “She likes to be in front, but she can come from behind, too. We’ll see how it goes. If she could get the lead easy, it would be better for us. But she can sit, too. It’s no problem.”
Princess Grace is launching her season. She’s a winner of three of four starts, with her most recent race a win in the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere, which came off the turf Nov. 14 at Churchill Downs. Earlier in her career, Princess Grace won back-to-back turf races at Colonial and Monmouth. Joe Bravo has the mount for M and M Stable and trainer Michael Stidham.
Madita also is starting her season, while Sunset Kiss has picked up checks in recent allowances at Churchill. The Irish-bred Honey Cake makes her first start in this country for trainer Jonathan Thomas.
Secret Time, a Group 3-placed runner who in her last start was fourth in an allowance at Keeneland, likely will not run in the Penny Memorial, trainer Danny Gargan said on Saturday.
Amniarix is making her North American debut after being based in England. Jose Ortiz has the mount for Bjorn E. Nielsen and trainer Graham Motion.