Updated: Medina Spirit and Keepmeinmind pull out of the Pennsylvania Derby.
The thoroughbred track at Parx Casino hosts the Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 25.
The Pennsylvania Derby serves as a significant lead-up for the Breeders’ Cup in November. The race is a marque Grade 1 race at 1 and 1/8 miles and has a $1 million payday for the winner. Post time for the Pennsylvania Derby is 5:49 p.m. ET.
Pennsylvania Derby day is always the biggest event on the PA horse racing calendar.
The PA Derby was first held on Memorial Day in 1979 at Keystone Race Track, now known as Parx. The race was eventually upgraded to G1 status. Then it moved to the last Saturday in September as part of the fall lineup leading to the Breeders’ Cup.
Where to bet on the horse racing in PA
You can bet on the Pennsylvania Derby and other horse racing action at:
- Online at TVG
- Parx and other off-track-betting locations.
Medina Spirit pulled out of PA Derby
The derby day might be even more popular this year for two reasons. The coronavirus pandemic canceled the event last year, so there’s pent-up demand.
And the controversial trainer Bob Baffert and his horse Medina Spirit were expected to be there. Medina Spirit won this year’s Kentucky Derby. But the horse remained under a cloud due to two positive drug tests. Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone after the Kentucky Derby and still risks disqualification. Baffert, a Hall of Fame trainer with a history of winning and controversy, is fighting back in court.
Some bettors would have taken Medina Spirit because of Baffert, while others would wager against the horse simply because of Baffert, one veteran handicapper told Playin Pennsylvania.
Now, that’s moot.
Baffert did not like outside pole position
On Tuesday, Baffert told Tim Wilkin of the Albany Times Union, that he had decided to pull Medina Spirit and a second horse, Private Mission, in the G1 fillies-only Cotillion Stakes.
@tjwilkin broke the news on Twitter.
Bob Baffert on pulling Medina Spirit from PA Derby:
“I don’t like to put them on a plane unless I feel real good about it. Medina looks good, I just don’t like the way the race was setting up. I feel part of my success is knowing when to run and doing what’s right for the horse.”
Baffert said Medina Spirit will be pointed to the Grade I, $300,000 Awesome Again at Santa Anita on Oct. 2 Private Mission to the Grade III, $200,000 Zenyatta on Oct. 3. “If they run well, they will go the Breeders’ Cup,”
Baffert then called Parx at 11:22 a.m to deliver the same news.
One handicapper scoffed at Baffert’s pole position explanation. The handicapper said not running a race with taxing early speed expected is better for Medina’s chance at the Breeder’s Cup.
On Friday afternoonThoroughbred Daily News broke the news that Keepmeinmind is a scratch due to an abscess on his left front foot.
His trainer Robertino Diorodo told TDN, “He trained like a monster and we needed the pony to get him off the track, he was feeling so good. This is definitely disappointing, but the main thing is the horse is going to be ok. Terrible timing.”
