Another View of 2017 Pennsylvania Derby Day
Pennsylvania Derby Day 2017, the biggest day of the year at Parx Racing, brought with it unseasonably hot weather for a September day in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert made his first trip to Parx with his three-year-old stars Abel Tasman from the filly division and the big colt, West Coast. In the end Baffert had one big victory, but he had to share the limelight with some great performances and storylines in the earlier stakes.
The Pick 4 sequence began with the PA Derby Champion Stake and produced probably the best storyline from the card. Seven-year-old Page McKenney won his 20th career race from 51 starts after refusing to allow Just Call Kenny to pass him in a thrilling stretch duel. The son of Eavesdropper was claimed in his 14th career for $16,000 by Maryland-based trainer Mary Eppler. At that point in 2013, as a three-year-old, he had only one win and now his earnings are $1,756,378.
As he crossed the finished line, one his grooms was jumping up and down and screaming with joy, bursting with pride that her horse had once again found his way to the winner’s circle.
It wasn’t easy for Page McKenney because this was a tough field with a few runners that he had, in the past, had trouble beating. In addition he stumbled from his position in the eight-hole of the Parx starting gate.
The turf writers and photographers, who watched the race from the rail, all had the same sentiment about Page McKenney, what a cool horse!!
In the Gallant Bob (G3), the talented sprinter Coal Front made up for his somewhat disappointing performance against a deep field in the Jerkens (G1) at Saratoga. On that day, he could not keep up with the likes of Practical Joke and Takaful; but at Parx, the Todd Pletcher trainee showed true grit and determination to get his fourth victory in five starts. On a contested lead throughout the six furlongs, Coal Front was actually passed by American Pastime near the eighth pole, but did not give up, got the lead back, and drew off to a ½ length win. The race was fast and earned a 107 BSF.
The bad news is that Coal Front was injured in the race and will require surgery according to Pletcher, "I thought he ran well, unfortunately he came out of it with a condylar fracture in his right front," Pletcher said. "He'll have surgery tomorrow. We're optimistic he can come back well from it. Obviously, we'll know more after the surgery."
Abel Tasman was expected to win her fourth consecutive grade one race in the $1,000,000 Cotillion. All attention was on the three-year-old division leader in the paddock before the race and rider Mike Smith was trying to make sure that she stayed relaxed in the summer-like temperatures.
Baffert stayed in the paddock and watched the race on the big screen in the infield. He seemed a bit on edge before the race. In the end, Abel Tasman tasted defeat for the first time since April as Smith tried to employ that same tactics that he used to win the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga. This time; however, he did not have enough horse left and was beaten by Jerry Hollendorfer’s It Tiz Well.
Baffert had a second chance with West Coast in the featured Pennsylvania Derby. For he and Smith everything went perfectly this time, as the Gary and Mary West owned colt romped home to an easy victory that earned a 107 BSF, which was one point below his big Travers victory last time out. West Coast now has two grade one wins and a comfortable spot on top of the three-year-old male division.
photo by Eclipse Sportswire
all other photos by Matt Shifman
Irap, who sustained a left front sesamoid fracture during the race, was transported safely in preparation for his surgery according to trainer Doug O’Neill, “He loaded like a champ this morning for his trip to New Bolton and surgery tomorrow [Monday]. He has a great mind, and is being a good patient.”