Cyberknife, Tawny Port Breeze for Pennsylvania Derby

Trainer Brad Cox breezed the graded-winning duo of Gold Square's Cyberknife   and Peachtree Stable's Tawny Port  Sept. 17 at Churchill Downs toward the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing Sept. 24. The two 3-year-olds breezed together, clocked in 1:01 1/5 for five furlongs.

Both last raced at Saratoga Race Course, finishing behind division leader Epicenter , with Tawny Port running third in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) July 30 and Cyberknife placing second in the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1).

"Cyberknife has been doing so well. I figured we might as well run," Cox said. "The (Nov. 5) Breeders' Cup (Classic (G1)) obviously figures to be tough."

Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile) has long been pointed to the Pennslyvania Derby after skipping the Travers. The colt won the Ohio Derby (G3) and Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3) earlier this year.

Cyberknife (Gun Runner) is one of at least two grade 1 winners expected for the 1 1/8-mile race. Zedan Racing Stables' Taiba , who captured the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) in the spring, is an anticipated starter for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. The latter breezed six furlongs Saturday at Santa Anita Park in 1:13 1/5.

"It's going to be a good race up there. Both of them are going to have to run to the best of their ability," Cox said of his trainees.

Gary and Mary West's Best Actor , who took the Aug. 23 Smarty Jones Stakes (G3) at Parx, will await the Sept. 25 Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park, Cox indicated.

He said Irad Ortiz Jr. and Florent Geroux have the respective mounts on Tawny Port and Cyberknife.