Pennsylvania Derby

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G2) will take place on Labor Day, and a
well-matched field of nine sophomores will travel 1 18 miles in hopes of bagging
the lucrative first prize. We’ll tab DUKE OF MISCHIEF (Graeme Hall) for top
honors. The David Fawkes pupil began his career in non-descript fashion,
breaking his maiden against high-level claimers, but has really turned it on in
his last three starts, including a victory in the Iowa Derby and a respectable
fifth-place effort in the Haskell Invitational (G1). The chestnut has posted
BRIS Speed figures of 104, 100 and 106 in his last three, and a repeat of either
of those makes him a logical win contender. Eibar Coa will be in the irons.

ENDYMION (Tapit) annexed the Jersey Derby, which was washed off the turf,
last out for trainer Christophe Clement and rates as a longshot player in this
field. The Kentucky-bred bay is bred to run all day and has enough tactical
speed to be in contention from the opening bell, so we have to consider the
developing colt for the gimmicks at a square price.

Sunland Derby victor KELLY LEAK (Runaway Groom) has run quite well in his two
starts on dirt and is another who is not without a chance for Michael Machowsky.
The West Coast invader had a prep for this when a one-paced sixth in the San
Diego H. (G2) on the Del Mar Polytrack, but we’re willing to overlook that
showing and focus on the top efforts that this one has put forth in the past.
Mike Smith has the call.

West Virginia Derby (G2) upsetter SOUL WARRIOR (Lion Heart) has progressed
nicely throughout the year and must be viewed as a serious contender in this
event. The chestnut should be close to the early tempo before putting in his
late run under Robby Albarado, and if our top pick falters, he could be the one
to capitalize.

The consistent GONE ASTRAY (Dixie Union) has handled two-turn racing with
excellent success from two tries for Shug McGaughey, finishing second in both
the Coronado’s Quest S. and Curlin S. most recently. The dark bay seems to be
peaking and posted a strong half-mile breeze leading up to this event, so we
consider the colt as another top-three threat in this field.

OUR EDGE (The Cliff’s Edge) is the key to the race in our minds, as the fleet
Nick Zito charge should be leading the way early, and he might be tough to run
down if he’s at his best. Eased last out in the Travers S. (G1) just one week
back, the bay had won three in a row prior to that in front-running fashion, and
his pedigree suggests that nine panels should be fine for the colt. Chuckie
Lopez will be atop the Kentucky-bred.

JOIN IN THE DANCE (Sky Mesa) ran into a top colt in his second-place finish
against allowance foes at Saratoga and drew the rail in this one for Todd
Pletcher. The Grade 3-placed colt has just one win from 10 career starts and is
a question mark at this distance, but he’s kept good company throughout his
career and might be able to get a piece late under John Velazquez.

DENVER (Fusaichi Pegasus) has done well versus lesser and has solid early
speed, but this task looks like a bit much for the Kentucky-bred. BUNKER HILL
(Trippi) had the misfortune of drawing the widest post in here, and we don’t
like the sophomore’s chances of handling this field at 1 18 miles, so we’ll
pass.