Pair Of Grade II Races Headline Saturday Down South

A pair of Grade II stakes races will headline Saturday's racing in the United States as Parx Racing in Philadelphia will host the Grade II Pennsylvania Debry and Lousiana Downs will host the Grade II Super Debry. Both races will feature three year olds.

First up out of the two races will be the Grade II Super Derby at Louisana Downs. The race attracted a small six horse field that includes Grade III Derby Trial winner Hurricane Ike and Prince of Wales Stakes winner Golden Moka. Hurricane Ike is the 9-5 morning line favourite and appears to be the horse that will control the speed of the race. A concern is that Hurricane Ike is only trying the mile and an eighth distance and two turns for just the second time in his career. With this being the case, the race looks wide open to me and anyone can win it. I think I will side with a somewhat local choice for me, Golden Moka, who won the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. I think the field can track Hurricane Ike the whole way and wait for Hurricane Ike to tire out before blowing by him. Keep in mind Golden Moka is undefeated in his career and while there is uncertainty around the races in Panama, Golden Moka defeated some of Canada's best three year olds in the Prince of Wales Stakes. Rounding out the field in the Super Derby include (listed in order of post position), Ricky Tick, Arctic Comet, Apart and Distorted Economy.

Shortly after the Grade II Super Derby wraps up at Louisana Downs, the Grade II Pennsylvania Derby will take place at Parx Racing in Philadelphia. The headliner in this race is First Dude, who ran in the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes, the Haskell Invitational and the Travers Stakes, finishing in the top three in every race. With such a competitive record against some of the best Grade I three year olds in the United States, it's easy to see why First Dude is the 8-5 morning line favourite. The field will most likely be shortened to six at post time as the Daily Racing Form is reporting that the trainer of Friend or Foe, John Kimmel, is "90 percent cetain" he will scratch his horse for another option. Exhi, A Little Warm and Morning Line appear to be the speed factors in this race but First Dude could join the fray if he wants to. With a pace duel projected up front I would look for a horse coming from off the pace to be a main player. However, if First Dude sets the pace up front, he could wire the field that will be completed by Severe Weather, Afleet Again and Friend or Foe.

Posted in: US Tracks