Bensalem, Pa. – The Pennsylvania breeding program was in the spotlight on Monday at Parx with a pair of state-bred stakes races – the $100,000 Page McKenney Handicap and the $100,000 Unique Bella Stakes.
Fortheluvofbourbon earned the seventh win of his career with a game victory over Beren after a hard-fought stretch duel. Ridden by Kendrick Carmouche and trained by Michael Pino, the five-year-old son of Bourbon Courage prevailed by a neck to complete the seven-furlong contest in 1:23.49 for owners Smart Angle LLP. Forhteluvofbournon returned $13.00, 6.00 and 3.20 while Beren paid $4.80 and 3.20. Favorite I Am Redeemed paid $2.20 and had to settle for third after a troubled trip.
In the $100,000 Unique Bella Stakes, the favorite Cinnabunny held on by a neck to earn her second black-type victory, covering seven furlongs in 1:25.03. Ridden to victory by Jorge Ruiz and trained by Cathal Lynch, the Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Golden Lad returned $6.60, 4.20 and 2.80. Fast-closing longshot Ninetypercentbrynn paid $27.40 and 14.00 while Wildcat Cartridge closed for third and paid $17.60. Graded stakes-placed Cinnabunny is owned by Runnymoore Racing, LLC.
Also on Monday, Parx Racing held the first two-year-old race of the season. Trainer John C. Servis saddled both the winner, Condescending, and the runner-up, Chance Occurrence. Under Frankie Pennington, Condescending broke alertly and was in command throughout the two-furlong contest. A Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Exaggerator owned and bred in partnership by Main Line Racing, she returned $6.80, 3.80 and 3.20. Chance Occurrence paid $7.40 and $5.00 while Amira Wins returned $4.00.
Parx Racing Releases 2022 Stakes Schedule; Parx To Join Match Series
Parx Racing has released its stakes schedule for 2022 highlighted by the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (GI) and the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (GI) which will be held on Saturday, September 24th.
The stakes-laden card for Pennsylvania Derby Day will be expanded to include a pair of juvenile stakes races – the $200,000 Prince Lucky and the $200,000 The Imply Stakes, both at six and a half furlongs. In addition to the Cotillion (GI) and Pennsylvania Derby (GI), there will be three graded stakes races scheduled as part of the undercard – the $200,000 Greenwood Cup (GIII), the $300,000 Turf Monster (GIII) and the $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes (GII).
After the summer break in early August, live racing will return as Parx hosts Pennsylvania Day at the Races on Monday, August 22. August 23rd is another big day of racing in the Commonwealth, highlighted by the $150,000 Cathryn Sophia Stakes and the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes (GIII). Both races serve as major preps for the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (GI) and $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (GI).
Parx will also host the championship day of the popular MATCH Series, a series of stakes races over a seven-month span in which horses compete for lucrative bonuses at the end of the year in the Mid-Atlantic region. The championship day is set for early October and Parx will host several MATCH series races over the course of the season – the $100,000 Neshaminy Stakes and $100,000 Bensalem Stakes on June 14 and the $100,000 Roamin Rachel Stakes, the $100,000 Liberty Bell Stakes, the $100,000 Buck’s County Stakes and $100,000 Salvatore M. DeBunda PTHA President’s Cup on October 3.
“To say that I am excited to release the Parx 2022 Stakes Schedule would be an understatement,” said Parx Director of Racing and Racing Secretary David Osojnak. “Not only will Parx be offering the same thrilling stakes that we ran in 2021, including our marquee Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and Grade 1 Cotillion, but this year we have the honor of hosting both the final leg of the 2022 MATCH Series and the inaugural running the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association 2-Year-Old PA Bred/PA Sired Stallion Series. I am looking forward to an electrifying 2022.”
Contact the Parx Racing Office to nominate at 267-223-3310 or stakes@parxracing.com. For the complete 2022 stakes schedule visit parxracing.com.
Parx Press Release
Top Photo: Fortheluvofbourbon #4 ridden by Kendrick Carmouche battles to the wire to best Beren #2. (Barbara Weidl/EQUI-PHOTO)
