Penn Mile 2018: Odds and analysis led by Maraud

Saturday's sixth running of the Penn Mile for 3-year-olds on the turf carries a $500,000 purse, and this year the race drew a field of eight, including Maraud, a multi-graded stakes winner from the barn of Todd Pletcher.

In 2014, Bobby’s Kitten won the race and went on to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Two years later, Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Catch a Glimpse captured the race. So certainly, this even has earned its Grade 2 status.

The Penn Mile is part of the fourth Penn Racing Gaming Challenge, which ties 20 unrestricted stakes races across seven days throughout the year and offers bonuses, free entries, and other prizes to the top owners, trainers and jockeys at Hollywood Casino at Penn National, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, Sam Houston Race Park and Zia Park.

Here is a look at the field for the Penn Mile, which is slated as Race 9 out of 11 with post-time scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET.

Coltandmississippi [ML 8-1 – Pioneerof the Nile – Pletcher/Rosario – 7: 2-0-2 - $113,137] You may recognize the name of this runner from his appearances on the Kentucky Derby trail earlier in the year, with runs in the Jerome (third) and Withers (fourth) at Aqueduct. Pletcher then gave him a run in the Bridgetown on the grass at Aqueduct. That six-furlong sprint went in 1:07.84, and Coltandmississippi closed for third, beaten just a half-length. Maybe the $400,000 yearling purchase has found a new home on the green. Still, the step up in distance and class presents a challenge. Can he break through on the turf?

Encumbered [ML 6-1 – Violence – S. Callaghan/Gutierrez – 5: 2-0-0 - $102,345] Encumbered is traveling cross-country to make his 2018 debut at Penn National. He was last seen in the ultra-competitive Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in which he finished 13th after having to steady in the early going. As we know, that Grade 1 became a key race for many horses on the Derby trail this year. Encumered's two wins came on the Del Mar grass and include the Del Mar Juvenile Turf in September. The grass is clearly this one’s best surface and he has some talent there. He ran from off the pace in both of those victories. Tough spot for a 2018 debut.

Maraud [ML 5-2 – Blame – Pletcher/J. Velazquez – 7: 4-0-2 - $337,770] Maraud won his debut on the grass as a 2-year-old at Saratoga and remained on turf since. Following that maiden win, he added an allowance victory and two graded stakes wins in the Palm Beach (G3) at Gulfstream Park and the American Turf (G2) at Churchill Downs. He ran well on turf rated firm, good, and yielding and at several different tracks. Johnny V., who rode him in 3 out of 4 of his wins, comes to Penn for the mount. Versatile turf horse knows how to win.

Therapist [ML 3-1 – Freud – Clement/I. Ortiz – 5: 4-0-1 - $243,725] This New York-bred won 4 out of 5 starts with only his maiden victory coming in state-bred company. After showing his talent at Belmont in his first win, he moved right up to stakes company to win at Laurel and then again in New York as a 2-year-old. He debuted in 2018 with Lasix for the first time and was third behind Maraud at Gulfstream Park after becoming unsettled in the gate. He found the winner’s circle again in his next start in Florida going a mile in the Cutler Bay. He’s yet another horse that likes to rally. Regular rider Irad Ortiz will be on board. Talented and experienced at the mile distance.

Way Early [ML 10-1 – Tizway – Weaver/Carmouche – 3: 1-1-0 - $54,200] Here's another New York-bred with a good pedigree. A bit light on experience, Way Early broke his maiden in the state-bred ranks at Belmont Park in September and then was fourth behind Therapist in an open stakes race at Belmont Park. He ran a very game second in his 2018 debut in a restricted allowance at Aqueduct. George Weaver runners are always dangerous on the grass. Tough spot for this inexperienced runner.

Hawkish [ML 5-1 – Artie Schiller – Toner/Franco – 3: 2-0-0 - $75,700] All three of his starts came this year, including a first-time victory at Gulfstream in January. From there he stepped up to a graded stakes, where he ran a creditable fourth behind Maraud and Therapist in the Palm Beach. Hawkish got his second win in an Aqueduct allowance in April. Trainer Jimmy Toner is solid with turf runners. This talented youngster will need to advance.

Smart Remark [ML 12-1 – First Defence – V. Oliver/J. Lezcano – 6: 2-1-1 - $89,600] Smart Remark was a first-out winner on the turf at Indiana Downs last summer who then tried the dirt in the Iroquois (G3) and an allowance. He debuted on the grass this year in a Tampa Bay Downs stakes, running third behind the very talented Gidu. Back on the dirt he won an allowance at Keeneland and then got swamped in that upset-filled Pat Day Mile (G3) on Derby Day. He’s back on the grass in what seems like his best surface, but once again this is a very ambitious spot. Back on his best surface.

He’s Bankable [ML 6-1 – Arch – M. Casse/Gaffalione – 7: 3-1-0 - $152,561] This son of Arch struggled as a 2-year-old on the dirt in his first three starts. When switched to the grass, he wired a group of Florida-breds to get his initial victory. Running on the front end, He’s Bankable has added two stakes wins, one at Tampa for state-breds and then the other in the English Channel at Gulfstream. This Casse runner has an advantage as the possible lone speed in the race. He will likely be loose on the lead.

Summary: The Penn Mile has assembled a competitive field in which seven of the eight horses like to race from off the pace. He’s Bankable is very likely to position up front early, and he won a stakes race at Gulfstream using that style. But this is a Grade 2 event against some very solid turf horses. On paper, Maraud is the best horse in the field with the most money earned and two recent graded stakes victories. But count on a close finish with some of New York's best jockeys making the trip for this race.