Script has wet form if Juvenile is run on off track

An uncertain weather forecast coupled with some key defections makes Wednesday’s Parx Juvenile an interesting handicapping challenge.

The Juvenile is one of two $100,000 stakes for 2-year-olds at seven furlongs on the card along with the $100,000 Parx Futurity for juvenile fillies.

Script might go favored for Graham Motion and Jose Ortiz in the Juvenile. Script made his debut in a six-furlong sprint over “good” going at Laurel Park on Nov. 13. Outrun early, he rallied powerfully for second and hinted at ability.

Motion then shipped Script up to Aqueduct, where he dumped Ortiz during the warm-up. He was all business once loaded into the gate, showed improved speed, and was a comfortable two-length winner.

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Practical Coach, a $270,000 purchase in May, will be a pace factor for Butch Reid. Never off the board, Practical Coach adds blinkers.

“We really feel he’s not giving everything he has,” Reid said. “He’s trained well in the mornings and runs well, but just doesn’t go out and go after the horses.”

Stakes winner Speaking, who is dropping out of Aqueduct’s Grade 3 Nashua, adds to the pace dynamic.

Trainer Jamie Ness said that Mr. Mox will be withdrawn as the Parx Juvenile is “too quick back” after the gelding finished fourth at Laurel on Dec. 18.

Witty is also an unlikely starter. Owner Elizabeth Merryman mentioned that Witty “popped a little abscess in his foot.” That setback, coupled with the 40 percent chance of rain in the area and the fact that Witty ran only 22 days ago are factors in the decision.

Merryman mentioned that Witty might resurface in “an allowance race at Parx in mid-January” or in the Grade 3 Withers at Aqueduct on Feb. 5.

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Last Romance and Uncle Buddy, second and fifth, respectively, in Sunday’s Heft Stakes at Laurel are expected to scratch

Dance Code, third in the Grade 3 Sanford at Saratoga, Vine Jet, Egot a Poker Face, Smarten Up, Raging Tempest, and Southern Runner also are entered.

Parx Futurity

Todd Pletcher has won with seven of his last 11 stakes starters. One that failed to win during the streak, Miss Interpret, looks to rebound in the Parx Futurity.

Miss Interpret captured the off-the-turf P.G. Johnson at Saratoga on Sept. 2. She then finished eighth in the Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland on Oct. 8 and seventh in the Grade 2 Demoiselle at Aqueduct on Dec. 4. She should appreciate the class and distance relief.

Collin’s Grey Lady finished sixth in her debut on Nov. 24. “We opted to run against the boys,” said trainer Danny Velazquez. “She got a bad trip but good racing experience.”

Velazquez wheeled her back against fillies and Collin’s Grey Lady won her maiden by four lengths. “I’m very confident she’s going to run well. Tactically, she should be second or third,” he said.

Captainsdaughter, stakes-placed in her last two starts against New York-breds, looms a late threat. “We’ve always had the feeling she’s a nice horse,” said trainer Russell Cash. “We’re going to take her back and make one run.”

Stand Up Comic, 2 for 2 on dirt, returns to the surface after two off-the-board finishes on turf. She should show speed along with Alice Harper.

Eighty Eight Keys, Bienvenue, Decisive Cause, Smarty Pants Sandy, Twodogsfourcats, and Lady Bernadette also entered.

Morning-line favorite Buy the Best is expected to scratch after winning Sunday’s Gin Talking at Laurel.