On Saturday, September 20, Parx Racing in Pennsylvania will host one of its biggest racing days of the year. This is not just about the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1). The festival features 15 races in total, including seven stakes races that are packed with action. For horseplayers, this is one of the best chances to find value all season.
Check How to Watch the Pennsylvania Derby Day Festival with this article.
The card starts at 11:05 a.m. EDT, and the stakes races begin in the afternoon. From that point, every race until the end of the day will be a stakes event. With so many strong fields, it’s important to know where the best betting chances are. Let’s take a look at four races from the festival and highlight which horses look like smart plays.
This is one of the longest dirt races of the year at Parx, run at 1 ½ miles. Usually, a horse called Next dominates this division, but he is not in the field this time. That means the race is wide open.
No Bien Ni Mal is the clear class of the field. He raced in South America before coming to the U.S., where he made a winning debut at Saratoga. He showed fight that day and now stretches out to a distance he already proved he can handle overseas. He has the stamina and experience to make him the one to beat.
Double Your Money is the “local hero.” He has run eight times at Parx and finished first or second in every one of them. He doesn’t always win big races, but his consistency makes him dangerous, especially since he can sit close to the leaders and fight to the end. If he takes another step forward, he could pull off an upset.
Verdict: No Bien Ni Mal is the stronger horse, but Double Your Money is worth watching for value.
Sprinters take center stage here, and the rail position at Parx is usually an advantage. All Class draws the inside post and gets jockey Kendrick Carmouche, who rides Parx as well as anyone. She has proven she can win at different tracks and distances, so the new surroundings should not bother her.
Carmelina is the opposite; she loves Parx. She is a perfect 3-for-3 at the track this year and showed she can win from different positions in the race. Trainer Robert Reid and jockey Paco Lopez are both in top form, and that adds to her appeal.
Verdict: While All Class is a threat from the rail, Carmelina’s home advantage and hot connections make her the safer pick.
This sprint for 3-year-olds always draws speed, and this year is no different. With so much early pace, a horse that can stalk and finish strong may have the edge.
Retribution showed he can handle the Parx surface when he won here in August, despite a rough start. Now he shortens back to six furlongs, gets a good inside post, and keeps top jockey Kendrick Carmouche. With a fast pace expected, he should get the right trip.
Neoequos is another to watch. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., he has real sprinting ability. He tried longer races earlier this year, even running in the Kentucky Derby, but his best form is around six furlongs. He should sit just off the pace and make his run late.
Verdict: Neoequos looks like the most reliable play here, especially cutting back to his favorite distance.
The Pennsylvania Derby is the main event of the day. With a purse of $1 million, it always attracts some of the best 3-year-olds in the country. Many horses that ran in the Triple Crown earlier in the year show up here to try and finish the season strong.
This year’s edition is no different. The field is full of talent, speed, and stamina. It’s not an easy race to call, but one thing is certain: the winner will put himself in the spotlight for the rest of the year and maybe even earn a shot at the Breeders’ Cup.
Check our 3 best bets for the 2025 Pennsylvania Derby.
Verdict: With so many strong contenders, this race is wide open, but it’s worth paying close attention to Baeza.
After reviewing the races, the best overall bet of the festival looks to be Carmelina in the Liberty Bell Stakes (Race 10). She has proven form at Parx and comes from connections who know how to win at this track. While other races have more question marks, Carmelina’s consistency makes her the most trustworthy choice on the card.
The Pennsylvania Derby Festival offers something for every bettor: long-distance tests, sprints, fillies and mares, and classic 3-year-olds. With 15 races and seven stakes, it’s a full day of action. Smart players will spread their bets across different spots, but remember, sometimes the simplest pick, like Carmelina, can be the most rewarding.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
