Eleven look for breakthrough win in PA Derby
Who’s ready to join division’s upper echelon?
The Biz
September 15, 2026
Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby offers 11 three-year-olds a chance to land the win that changes their season. For some, that means restoring their spring reputation. For others, it means proving they belong at the top.
The Grade 1, 1⅛-mile test at Parx Racing includes a classic runner-up, accomplished stakes winners, and improving newcomers. None enters off a summer Grade 1 victory. Post time is 5:48 p.m.
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Further Ado has the biggest win on his resume, an 11-length romp in April’s Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes, and is the 2-1 morning line favorite. But Spendthrift Farm’s Gun Runner colt subsequently finished 11th as the Kentucky Derby favorite and, after winning the Grade 3 Matt Winn, fifth as the Haskell favorite. Trainer Brad Cox turns to Flavien Prat for Further Ado’s first start since July 18.
Iron Honor (5-1) has been knocking on the door. The Chad Brown trainee finished second to Napoleon Solo in the Preakness at Laurel Park, then third behind Baby Vino and Napoleon Solo in the Haskell. The Gotham (G3) winner adds blinkers and gets Jose Ortiz aboard as he seeks his first victory since February.
The Puma (4-1) also has unfinished business. Gustavo Delgado’s Essential Quality colt won the Tampa Bay Derby and missed by a nose to Commandment in the Florida Derby before finishing fourth in both the Haskell and Travers. He adds blinkers, retains Javier Castellano, and cuts back a furlong from the Travers. His late-running style could benefit if the field’s speed horses press one another early.
Zihnal and Igniter arrive with momentum but face tougher assignments. Augustin Stable’s Zihnal (8-1) dominated the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby by 6¼ lengths August 9, his second victory in five starts. John Velazquez returns for trainer Jonathan Thomas.
Three Chimneys Farm’s Igniter (8-1) won the Ellis Park Derby by four lengths for Richard Dutrow Jr. and Luis Saez. Distance remains a question, however: he finished sixth in his only previous nine-furlong start.
Our Moneyman (8-1) seeks his first graded victory after consecutive seconds in the Matt Winn, behind Further Ado, and Indiana Derby, which went to next-out Travers winner Leading Change.
Todd Pletcher’s Sassmaster (10-1) takes a substantial class hike after winning a maiden race and Saratoga allowance in his only starts this year.
The regional contingent brings its own ambitions. Micanopy (15-1), claimed for $8,000 in April, won the Smarty Jones at Parx for Delaware-based trainer Michael Simone. Runner-up Ponder and Dream (20-1) had previously overwhelmed Pennsylvania-bred rivals by nearly 15 lengths for Butch Reid.
Freedom’s Echo, third in the Smarty Jones, and New York Derby winner Talk to Me Jimmy complete the field. Against rivals still seeking a defining second-half victory, each has an opportunity to take a sizable step forward.
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