Each week BloodHorse.com looks forward to the weekend's biggest races. Consider this your weekly guide to the best stakes races in North America. This week a pair of grade 1 contests at Parx Racing will likely be a factor in the race for each 3-year-old divisional championship. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern) and full previews can be found through the link for each race.
Saturday, Sept. 22
2:32 p.m.—$200,000 Noble Damsel (G3T) at Belmont Park
Set to make her first start since a fifth-place finish in the June 10 Longines Just a Game (G1T)—where she was the defending race winner—Moyglare Stud Farm's Celestine is ready to kick off her fall campaign. A 5-year-old Scat Daddy mare, Celestine picked up back-to-back victories in her first two starts of the year at Gulfstream Park, where she captured the Honey Fox Stakes (G2T) and Sand Springs Stakes.
Belmont Park, Saturday, September 23, 2017, Race 3Entries: Noble Damsel S. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Celestine (KY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
123
Christophe Clement
4/1
2
2Sassy Little Lila (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
116
Brad H. Cox
5/2
3
3Malibu Stacy (KY)
Rajiv Maragh
116
George Weaver
15/1
4
4Time and Motion (KY)
Jose Lezcano
118
James J. Toner
5/2
5
5Off Limits (IRE)
Joel Rosario
116
Chad C. Brown
2/1
3:51 p.m.—$150,000 Pa Derby Champion Stakes at Parx Racing
Grade 3 winner Page McKenney will seek his third straight stakes win at Parx in the Pa Derby Champion. A 19-time winner, the Eavesdropper gelding took the Roanoke Stakes at Parx last time out Sept. 2 and also scored in the April 29 Lyman Stakes in Bensalem, Pa.
Parx Racing, Saturday, September 23, 2017, Race 8Entries: Pa Derby Champion S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Discreet Lover (FL)
UNKNOWN
119
Uriah St. Lewis
10/1
2
2Donegal Moon (KY)
Javier Castellano
119
Todd A. Pletcher
4/1
3
3Grasshoppin (PA)
Hector Caballero
119
Francisco DaSilva Machado, Jr.
15/1
4
4Matt King Coal (FL)
Jose L. Ortiz
121
Linda Rice
3/1
5
5Ike Walker (KY)
Drayden Van Dyke
119
Jerry Hollendorfer
12/1
6
6Mr. Jordan (FL)
Frankie Pennington
119
Edward Plesa, Jr.
4/1
7
7Sea Raven (NY)
Emmanuel Esquivel
119
Kelly Rubley
20/1
8
8Page McKenney (PA)
Horacio Karamanos
124
Mary E. Eppler
6/1
9
9Just Call Kenny (VA)
John Bisono
124
Patrick B. McBurney
9/2
4:14 p.m.—$300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes (G3) at Parx Racing
Headlining the 10-horse field is the coupled entry of Petrov, trained by Ron Moquett, and Coal Front, conditioned by Todd Pletcher. Both horses are owned in part by Head of Plains Partners and Coal Front is the lone graded winner in the field with his victory in the July 29 Amsterdam Stakes (G2).
Parx Racing, Saturday, September 23, 2017, Race 9Entries: Gallant Bob S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
2
1Petrov (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
118
Ron Moquett
2/1
6
1ACoal Front (KY)
John R. Velazquez
122
Todd A. Pletcher
2/1
1
2Ann Arbor Eddie (CA)
Mario Gutierrez
120
Doug F. O'Neill
10/1
3
3Action Everyday (KY)
Albin Jimenez
118
Anthony R. Margotta, Jr.
15/1
4
4Running Mate (KY)
Brian Pedroza
118
J. Larry Jones
15/1
5
5American Pastime (KY)
Kent J. Desormeaux
118
Robert B. Hess, Jr.
7/2
7
6Sonic Mule (KY)
Kendrick Carmouche
118
Todd A. Pletcher
12/1
8
7Excitations (KY)
Javier Castellano
118
Albert M. Stall, Jr.
5/2
9
8Aquamarine (FL)
Luis Saez
118
D. Wayne Lukas
20/1
10
9Glory Stars (FL)
Mychel J. Sanchez
118
Michael M. Moore
15/1
4:55 p.m.—$1 million Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing
Abel Tasman comes off a determined victory July 23 in the 1 1/8-mile Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, and will seek her fourth straight grade 1 score. She won Belmont Park's Acorn Stakes (G1) going a mile June 10, after she took the 1 1/8-mile Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) by 1 1/4 lengths at Churchill Downs.
Parx Racing, Saturday, September 23, 2017, Race 10Entries: Cotillion S. (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
6
1Thirstforthecup (KY)
John R. Velazquez
117
Todd A. Pletcher
12/1
7
1AStay Fond (KY)
John R. Velazquez
117
Todd A. Pletcher
12/1
9
1XRun and Go (KY)
John R. Velazquez
117
Todd A. Pletcher
12/1
1
2Lockdown (KY)
Luis Saez
119
William I. Mott
8/1
2
3Actress (KY)
Kendrick Carmouche
122
Jason Servis
5/1
3
4Proud and Fearless (KY)
Brian Pedroza
117
J. Larry Jones
20/1
4
5It Tiz Well (KY)
Drayden Van Dyke
122
Jerry Hollendorfer
4/1
5
6Mopotism (KY)
Mario Gutierrez
117
Doug F. O'Neill
20/1
8
7Sine Wave (KY)
Robby Albarado
117
Benjamin W. Perkins, Jr.
20/1
10
8Teresa Z (KY)
Javier Castellano
122
Anthony R. Margotta, Jr.
12/1
11
9Abel Tasman (KY)
Mike E. Smith
124
Bob Baffert
8/5
12
10Salty (KY)
Tyler Gaffalione
122
Mark E. Casse
5/1
5:45 p.m.—$300,000 Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park
After a placing in the Forego Stakes (G1) last time out, G M B Racing's Tom's Ready will stretch out to the one-mile distance in the Kelso. He has two wins at the mile distance and they represent his last two victories. Prior to the Forego, where he came in third behind four-length winner Drefong, Tom's Ready took the Leemat Stakes July 9 at Presque Isle Downs and also scored in the Ack Ack (G3) at Churchill Downs in October of 2016.
Belmont Park, Saturday, September 23, 2017, Race 9Entries: Kelso H. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Tom's Ready (PA)
Joel Rosario
117
Dallas Stewart
8/1
2
2Tommy Macho (KY)
Joe Bravo
117
Todd A. Pletcher
10/1
3
3Ross (IRE)
Rajiv Maragh
116
Peter Schiergen
20/1
4
4Divining Rod (KY)
Daniel Centeno
117
Arnaud Delacour
2/1
5
5Sharp Azteca (KY)
Paco Lopez
124
Jorge Navarro
4/5
6
6Bird Song (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
116
Ian R. Wilkes
12/1
5:45 p.m.—$1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing
On the heels of his 3 1/4-length victory in the Aug. 26 Travers Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), West Coast enters the grade 1 test at Parx with an opportunity to become the latest Bob Baffert trainee to use a second-half surge to take control of the division.
Parx Racing, Saturday, September 23, 2017, Race 11Entries: Pennsylvania Derby (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Timeline (KY)
Javier Castellano
122
Chad C. Brown
5/1
2
2Outplay (KY)
John R. Velazquez
119
Todd A. Pletcher
12/1
3
3Watch Me Whip (KY)
Robby Albarado
117
Dale L. Romans
20/1
4
4West Coast (KY)
Mike E. Smith
124
Bob Baffert
8/5
5
5Irap (KY)
Mario Gutierrez
122
Doug F. O'Neill
3/1
6
6Talk Logistics (FL)
Frankie Pennington
117
Edward Plesa, Jr.
20/1
7
7Game Over (KY)
Kendrick Carmouche
117
Jorge Navarro
15/1
8
8Irish War Cry (NJ)
Feargal Lynch
122
H. Graham Motion
9/2
9
9Term of Art (KY)
Drayden Van Dyke
117
Doug F. O'Neill
20/1
10
10Giuseppe the Great (KY)
Luis Saez
117
Nicholas P. Zito
20/1
8:28 p.m.—$100,000 Barretts Juvenile Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course
Kaleem Shah's Run Away will make a relatively quick turnaround, as trainer Simon Callaghan still has an eye on the Run Away and Hide colt's future. After a third-place finish as the favorite in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) Sept. 4, Callaghan has been impressed with the colt's energy during training and is hopeful the drop in class will serve as a prep for a possible start in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1).
LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE, Saturday, September 23, 2017, Race 8Entries: Barretts Juvenile S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Thegloryisallmine (AZ)
Brayan Pena
116
Molly J. Pearson
20/1
2
2Crazy Uncle Rick (KY)
Edwin A. Maldonado
116
Jeff Bonde
12/1
3
3Run Away (KY)
Flavien Prat
123
Simon Callaghan
3/5
4
4Southern Warlord (CA)
Austin B. Solis
116
Scott Rollins
10/1
5
5Here Is Happy (OH)
Joseph Talamo
118
Craig Anthony Lewis
5/1
6
6Time for Cioppino (CA)
Tyler Baze
116
Gary Sherlock
20/1
7
7Smokem (CA)
Evin A. Roman
118
Gary Sherlock
7/2
10:11 p.m.—$100,000 Dogwood Stakes at Churchill Downs
Multiple graded stakes winner Farrell will return to racing action for the first time since she competed in the Kentucky Oaks more than four months ago. Farrell came into the Kentucky Oaks on a four-race win streak that included victories in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) and Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).
Churchill Downs, Saturday, September 23, 2017, Race 9Entries: Dogwood S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Pinch Hit (KY)
Jon Kenton Court
118
Brad H. Cox
15/1
2
2Champagne Problems (KY)
Calvin H. Borel
118
Ian R. Wilkes
20/1
3
3Tequilita (KY)
Luis Saez
122
Michael R. Matz
4/1
4
4Nineteenth Street (KY)
Alonso Quinonez
118
Steve Margolis
20/1
5
5Too Much Tip (KY)
Julio A. Garcia
122
Wesley A. Ward
10/1
6
6Minnie Blip (KY)
Miguel Mena
118
Albert M. Stall, Jr.
15/1
7
7Cara Blythe (KY)
Alex L. Canchari
118
Jack C. Van Berg
20/1
8
8Farrell (KY)
Channing Hill
122
Wayne M. Catalano
3/1
9
9Student Body (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
118
Christopher Davis
12/1
10
10No More Babies (KY)
Joseph Rocco, Jr.
118
Philip A. Bauer
15/1
11
11My Sweet Stella (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
118
D. Wayne Lukas
15/1
12
12Jordan's Henny (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
118
Michael A. Tomlinson
12/1
13
13Covenant (KY)
Florent Geroux
118
William I. Mott
4/1
14
14Perfect Wife (KY)
Chris Landeros
118
Kenneth G. McPeek
20/1
10:18 p.m.—$300,000 Charles Town Oaks (G3) at Charles Town
After she earned the first graded stakes win of her career in the Forward Gal Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Feb. 4, Tequilita stretched out to 1 1/16 miles in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), where she ran second to Salty. The daughter of Union Rags then finished seventh in the Kentucky Oaks over a sloppy racing strip at Churchill Downs and was given a brief freshening before she returned to finish third in the Longines Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Aug. 5.
Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races, Saturday, September 23, 2017, Race 12Entries: Charles Town Oaks (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Berned (KY)
Feargal Lynch
118
H. Graham Motion
8/1
2
2Astrollinthepark (KY)
Alex Cintron
118
J. Larry Jones
15/1
3
3Overture (FL)
Jose L. Ortiz
123
William I. Mott
5/1
4
4Stay Fond (KY)
Javier Castellano
118
Todd A. Pletcher
12/1
5
5Tequilita (KY)
Luis Saez
123
Michael R. Matz
7/2
6
6Chanel's Legacy (IA)
Jose Montano
120
David A. Cannizzo
12/1
7
7R Angel Katelyn (FL)
Kendrick Carmouche
118
Gerald S. Bennett
12/1
8
8Munny Spunt (FL)
Drayden Van Dyke
123
Doug F. O'Neill
4/1
9
9Sine Wave (KY)
Albin Jimenez
118
Benjamin W. Perkins, Jr.
8/1
10
10Downtown Mama (KY)
John R. Velazquez
118
Linda Rice
6/1
11
11Yorkiepoo Princess (FL)
Edwin Gonzalez
118
Edward R. Barker
15/1
12
12Who's the Lady (FL)
Jevian Toledo
118
Kathleen O'Connell
12/1
13
13Shimmering Aspen (KY)
Steve D. Hamilton
118
Rodney Jenkins
5/1
14
14Stormy Embrace (FL)
Wilmer A. Garcia
118
Kathleen O'Connell
15/1
Sunday, Sept. 23
3:36 p.m.—$300,000 Gallant Bloom Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park
Highway Star, a 4-year-old daughter of Girolamo , has hit the board in her last four starts—all graded stakes appearances—and is coming off a narrow head defeat to By the Moon in the Ketel One Ballerina Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. She returns to Belmont for the first time since she came in third in the June 10 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1).
Belmont Park, Sunday, September 24, 2017, Race 5Entries: Gallant Bloom H. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Highway Star (NY)
Angel S. Arroyo
121
Rodrigo A. Ubillo
2/1
2
2Friend of Liberty (KY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
110
Michelle Nevin
20/1
3
3Carina Mia (KY)
Javier Castellano
120
Chad C. Brown
8/5
4
4Quezon (NY)
Joel Rosario
114
Robert Ribaudo
8/1
5
5Absatootly (NY)
Joe Bravo
112
Charlton Baker
15/1
6
6Lucy N Ethel (PA)
John R. Velazquez
116
Todd A. Pletcher
3/1
5:13 p.m.—$125,000 John Hettinger stakes at Belmont Park
Fourstar Crook will look to start another impressive run in the turf race for New York-breds. Her second-place finish last time out in the Yaddo Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 25 ended an eight-race win streak that dated back to her maiden-breaking win in October of 2015 at Belmont. During that streak she won four stakes, including the July 4 Dr. James Penny Memorial Stakes (G3T).
Belmont Park, Sunday, September 24, 2017, Race 8Entries: John Hettinger S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Fourstar Crook (NY)
Javier Castellano
123
Chad C. Brown
8/5
2
2Flipcup (NY)
John R. Velazquez
116
William I. Mott
6/1
3
3Bonita Bianca (NY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
119
Rudy R. Rodriguez
6/1
4
4Bonita Springs (NY)
Rajiv Maragh
112
Thomas M. Bush
30/1
5
5Feeling Bossy (NY)
Luis Saez
120
James A. Jerkens
10/1
6
6Ack Naughty (NY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
118
Chad C. Brown
3/1
7
7Jc's Shooting Star (NY)
Eric Cancel
116
David G. Donk
30/1
8
8Literata (NY)
Rider TBA
123
Rudy R. Rodriguez
5/2
9
9Summersault (NY)
Junior Alvarado
123
Mark A. Hennig
4/1
10
10Barrel of Dreams (NY)
Joel Rosario
118
Charlton Baker
15/1
11
11Tizzelle (NY)
Joe Bravo
116
H. James Bond
12/1
6:21 p.m.—$175,000 Governor's Cup at Remington Park
Keane Thoroughbreds' Texas Chrome makes his return to Remington Park for the first time since his 2016 Oklahoma Derby (G3) score. The seven-time stakes winner went winless in six starts following the Oklahoma Derby—although three were runner-up efforts in grade 3 races—then got back to his winning ways July 22 at Lone Star Park in the Assault Stakes. His last start, however, was a last-place finish—54 1/4 lengths behind winner and fellow Governor's Cup entrant American Dubai—in the Downs At Albuquerque Handicap Aug. 5.
Remington Park, Sunday, September 24, 2017, Race 6Entries: Governor's Cup S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1American Dubai (VA)
Ken S. Tohill
125
Rodney C. Richards
2/1
2
2Iron Fist (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
125
Steven M. Asmussen
8/5
3
3Texas Chrome (TX)
C.J. McMahon
125
Allen Milligan
5/2
4
4Dan the Go to Man (KY)
Iram Vargas Diego
121
Allen Milligan
20/1
5
5Code West (VA)
Ramon A. Vazquez
119
Boyd Caster
4/1
7:19 p.m.—$200,000 Remington Park Oaks at Remington Park
Champagne Room, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2016, will make her first start since the Feb. 5 Las Virgenes Stakes (G2) with a possible run in the Breeders' Cup in her sights. An ankle chip sent her to the sideline for much of the year, but trainer Peter Eurton has been encouraged how mature—mentally and physically—the Broken Vow filly has been since she returned to training.
Remington Park, Sunday, September 24, 2017, Race 8Entries: Remington Park Oaks
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Champagne Room (KY)
Mario Gutierrez
116
Peter Eurton
1/1
2
2Babybluesbdancing (IL)
Ramon A. Vazquez
118
Terrel Gore
5/2
3
3Torrent (KY)
Marlon St. Julien
118
Ron Moquett
9/2
4
4Holiday's Angel (KY)
Robby Albarado
116
Chris A. Hartman
15/1
5
5Ever So Clever (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
120
Steven M. Asmussen
7/2
8:16 p.m.—$150,000 David M. Vance Sprint Stakes at Remington Park
Grade 3 winner Ivan Fallunovalot returned from a nearly six-month layoff to win a Remington allowance by 5 3/4 lengths Sept. 2. The Valid Expectations gelding has won his last five races at the Oklahoma City racetrack. He only has one loss in six starts at Remington and he's won the last three editions of the Vance Sprint.
Remington Park, Sunday, September 24, 2017, Race 10Entries: David M. Vance Sprint S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Tanner's Popsicle (KY)
C.J. McMahon
118
Allen Milligan
20/1
2
2Candip (KY)
Richard E. Eramia
118
Michael A. Tomlinson
15/1
3
3Wilbo (KY)
Robby Albarado
122
Chris A. Hartman
7/2
4
4Counterforce (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
122
Steven M. Asmussen
15/1
5
5Choir Director (KY)
Ramon A. Vazquez
120
Federico Villafranco
12/1
6
6Medal of Courage (KY)
Colby J. Hernandez
118
Karl Broberg
30/1
7
7Wings Locked Up (OK)
David Cabrera
122
Clinton C. Stuart
3/1
8
8Ivan Fallunovalot (TX)
Luis S. Quinonez
120
W. T. Howard
6/5
8:46 p.m.—$400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park
Girvin's connections hope he can distance himself from a disappointing Travers run in the Oklahoma Derby. His Travers effort was particularly puzzling for his camp, considering he was coming off arguably the best race of his life. When he got his nose down to win the July 30 Betfair.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park, he bested a field that included multiple grade 1 winner Practical Joke, as well as graded stakes winners McCraken, Irish War Cry, and fellow Oklahoma Derby entrant Battle of Midway.
Remington Park, Sunday, September 24, 2017, Race 11Entries: Oklahoma Derby (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Altito (KY)
Ramon A. Vazquez
124
Federico Villafranco
30/1
2
2B Squared (CA)
Mario Gutierrez
124
Doug F. O'Neill
12/1
3
3Battle of Midway (KY)
Flavien Prat
124
Jerry Hollendorfer
2/1
4
4McCormick (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
124
Ian R. Wilkes
15/1
5
5Untrapped (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
124
Steven M. Asmussen
5/1
6
6Gato Del Oro (KY)
Rafael Bejarano
124
Richard Baltas
9/2
7
7Colonelsdarktemper (KY)
Jon Kenton Court
124
William H. Fires
4/1
8
8Girvin (KY)
Robby Albarado
124
Joe Sharp
7/2