Cotillion: Always a Runner seeks second Grade 1 of 2026
Kentucky Oaks 2026 (G1) winner Always a Runner bids for her second Grade 1 victory of the season and a return to the champion 3-year-old filly conversation in Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion Stakes at Parx.
The Cotillion, co-featured on the 15-race Pennsylvania Derby Day card, drew a field of nine led by Always a Runner along with the late-developing, multiple Grade 1-placed Measure, Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and Monmouth Oaks (G3) winner My Miss Mo, Grade 1 winner Iron Orchard and Grade 2 winner Zany.
Always a Runner won the Gazelle (G3) and the Kentucky Oaks before back-to-back seconds to Counting Stars in Grade 1 stakes at Saratoga. She drew post 4 and landed at 8-5 on the morning line from Parx director of racing and racing secretary David Osojnak.
Chad Brown trains the 3-year-old daughter of Gun Runner, who gets José Ortiz aboard for the 1 1/16-mile Cotillion. She has won three of five starts with two seconds and $1,184,800 in earnings for Douglas Scharbauer and Three Chimneys Farm.
Measure comes into the Cotillion off back-to-back Grade 1 placings at Saratoga – a third behind Counting Stars and Always a Runner in the Coaching Club American Oaks and a second to My Gun's Loaded in the Alabama. Mark Casse trains the filly for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm and Gary Barber, and Manny Franco rides her as the 4-1 second choice.
Zany, the 9-2 third choice for John Velazquez, finished second in the Ashland (G1) in April at Keeneland and arrives off a fourth in the Coaching Club American Oaks. Todd Pletcher trains the Repole Stable daughter of American Pharoah, who stands 3-for-6 with $414,625 in earnings.
My Miss Mo rides a two-race win streak into the Cotillion for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and owners Averill Racing, Mathis Stable and Tristan De Meric. The daughter of Uncle Mo won the Black-Eyed Susan in May at Laurel Park and the Monmouth Oaks last out in late July. Tyler Gaffalione rides her at 5-1.
Tap to Open, the 8-1 co-fourth choice with Bodacious Bay, could produce a $50,000 bonus for owner Whisper Hill Farm and trainer Brad Cox as the winner of the Cathryn Sophia and Cotillion.
The Cotillion goes as the 13th of 15 races Saturday with a post time of 4:58 p.m. EDT.