Seize the Grey did everything Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas expected on Saturday, taking the lead around the first turn and winning the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing.
Yes, the race went off about 40 minutes later than scheduled, but no issue for Seize the Grey, who turned back the strong challenge of Stronghold and won by 3 ¾ lengths, with Dragoon Guard third in the field of 11 3-year-olds.
Seize the Grey #2 with Jaime Torres riding won the $1,000,000 Grade I Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing in Bensalem, PA on September 21, 2024. Photo by Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO.
For the 89-year-old Lukas, it was his third Grade 1 win in seven years, and he now has a horse that’s not only a contender for champion 3-year-old male, but for Horse of the Year if he can pull off a win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 2.
Preakness (G1) winner Seize the Grey, ridden aggressively from post 2 by Jaime Torres., was sent off as the third betting choice at 4-1 and returned $10.60 for a $2 win bet.
“I didn’t expect to get the lead that easy. I thought it would be more tough, but you have to come out and stick with the plan,’’ Torres said. “He gave me the same feeling as the Preakness, the way he was moving and his ears. He was comfortable in there and I knew I was going to have a lot of horse at the end. When I looked around the turn and saw Unmatched Wisdom, I knew there was going to be some pressure. My horse felt it too and went home pretty hard.
“There’s so much adrenaline with all the people here and it gets even higher after the race. It was very exciting.”
Seize the Grey, owned by My Racehorse, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.89. Coming into the race, the colt had run seventh in the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 8 and fourth in the Jim Dandy (G2) on July 27.
Both races were at Saratoga, and Lukas said earlier this week that his gray son of Arrogate might not have liked the Spa surface. Well, he certainly took to the surface, although deep, according to Lukas, at Parx. Leading up to the race, Lukas said: “I expect a big effort.”
Stronghold, trained by California-based Phil D’Amato, came through with a strong effort for second, holding off 5-2 favorite Dragoon Guard by a head.
Uncle Henry was fourth, followed by Unmatched Wisdom, Doc Sullivan, Timeout, Who’s the King, Lonesome Boy, Protective, and Just Step On It.
Lukas was super confident before the race.
“The thing about him is that after the debacle in Saratoga he trained brilliantly ever since that to here,’’ Lukas said. “It never changed. He was really sharp every day. This is very gratifying. I don’t know if I have ever been involved with that many people who are crying and hugging and jumping up and down. Racing is calloused a little bit but not with these people. They were driving all night to get here … crying and hugging … it was unbelievable.”
As for the BC Classic, Lukas said:
“I will give them my vote. I don’t like to make decisions in the winner’s circle. I am thinking Mile (BC Dirt Mile) but a mile-and-a-quarter (BC Classic distance) is well within his scope, especially on that track. If you are ever going to get a mile-and-a-quarter, you will get it there.”
Seize the Grey, purchased for $300,000 as a yearling, improved to 13-5-0-3 with earnings of $2,415,938.