First Look: Pennsylvania Derby leads 11 graded stakes

The Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby is the top attraction in racing this weekend, but 10 other graded stakes also are on the calendar. Here is an early look at the fields.

The Penn Derby and four other graded stakes on Saturday's card will be drawn Monday at 2 p.m. EDT. It will be streamed live on the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association's Facebook and YouTube channels.

Saturday

Pennsylvania Derby (G1), Parx, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-old males

Jockey John Velazquez said he expects to be riding Medina Spirit here, coming off a win over Rock Your World in the listed Shared Belief. Hot Rod Charlie will look for his first Grade 1 win, and Midnight Bourbon will look for his first victory since January. Fulsome is 5-for-7 this year and is coming off a win in the Smarty Jones (G3).

Cotillion (G1), Parx, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-old fillies

Clairiere has hit the board in each of her six starts but has not won since the Rachel Alexandra (G2) in February. Maracuja, who handed Malathaat her only defeat in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), followed that with a last-place finish in the Alabama (G1) – which was won by Malathaat.

Kelso Handicap (G2), Belmont, 1 mile, 3-year-olds and up

Life Is Good lost by a neck to Jackie's Warrior last out in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1). It was his first race since being moved to Todd Pletcher from Bob Baffert, and it was his only defeat in four starts. Mo Mosa won the Steve Sexton Mile (G3) by 3 1/2 lengths but then finished second in the San Diego Handicap (G2) and the Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2).

Athenia (G3), Belmont, 1 1/8 miles (turf), fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Tuned returns to graded-stakes company after two wins at Colonial Downs, including a narrow victory in the black-type Old Nelson Stakes. Call Me Love had two wins at Belmont before finishing second in the Glens Falls (G2) at Saratoga. Pocket Square scored in an allowance race at Saratoga after finishing fifth in both the Just a Game (G1) and Diana (G1).

Probables were not available for the Bold Venture (G3), 6 1/2 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up at Woodbine, or for three other graded stakes at Parx: the Gallant Bob (G2), 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds; the Greenwood Cup (G3) 1 1/2 miles for 3-year-olds and up, and the;Turf Monster (G3), 5 furlongs (turf), 3-year-olds and up.

Sunday

Gallant Bloom (G2), Belmont, 6 1/2 furlongs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Unraced as a 2-year-old, Bella Sofia is 3-for-4 this year and won the Test (G1) last out by 4 1/4 lengths. Lake Avenue has finished second in her last three starts - all graded stakes, including the Ballerina (G2) last out, where she lost to Gamine.

Oklahoma Derby (G3), Remington Park, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds

Super Stock's win in the Ellis Park Derby was his first since the Arkansas Derby (G1). Mr. Wireless beat Warrant by 1 1/4 lengths in the West Virginia Derby (G3) and also won the Indiana Derby (G3)

Remington Park Oaks (G3), Remington Park, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-old fillies

Since finishing eighth in the Kentucky Oaks, Pauline's Pearl has finished third in the Iowa Oaks (G3) and second in the Charles Town Oaks (G3). Lovely Ride is 4-for-5 this year, with the loss coming in the Indiana Oaks (G3), her only graded-stakes start.