Pennsylvania Derby (G1)
Baeza captured the $1,000,000 Pennsylvania Derby by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:48.03 on a fast track, earning his first Grade 1 with Hector Berrios up for John Shirreffs.
Magnitude finished second with Goal Oriented third, as Baeza paid $4.80 to win after rallying wide and taking command entering the stretch.
- Connections: Baeza — trainer John Shirreffs, jockey Hector Berrios, owners C R K Stable LLC and Grandview Equine.
- Trip/pace: Baeza rated off a contested early pace, swept on the far turn, and finished strongly, indicating a balanced profile that translates at nine furlongs.
- Takeaway: Off his classic placings earlier in the year, this breakthrough G1 validated his class and versatility against a deep 3-year-old group.
Cotillion (G1)
Clicquot surged late to win the $1,000,000 Cotillion by a neck over Dry Powder in 1:42.85, with Ourdaydreaminggirl another head back in third.
Irad Ortiz Jr. guided the Brendan Walsh trainee, who returned $12.60 while stepping up successfully from her Indiana Oaks (G3) score.
- Connections: Clicquot — trainer Brendan Walsh, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., owners X‑Men Racing, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing.
- Trip/pace: Tracking in midpack behind honest fractions, Clicquot produced a sustained lane bid to outfinish a stubborn Dry Powder, signaling improved pace resilience.
- Takeaway: The win marks a meaningful leap within the division and suggests continued upside into the fall for a filly still improving with distance and class.
Gallant Bob (G2)
Mad House sprung a 23-1 upset in the $400,000 Gallant Bob, stopping the clock in 1:08.77 while holding off longshots Gateskeeper and Fire Pit.
The David Van Winkle trainee extended a winning streak and rewarded backers with a $49 win mutuel after showing sustained speed and grit.
- Connections: Mad House — trainer David Van Winkle, jockey Paco Lopez, owner James Thares.
- Trip/pace: Pressured through swift splits, Mad House maintained momentum late to post a career-best performance against a heavily favored rival who faded to fourth.
- Takeaway: The effort indicates legitimate graded sprint ability, with tactical speed and tenacity that should translate across similar six-furlong setups.
Parx Dirt Mile
Nelson Avenue outfinished Dilger by a half-length in 1:36.13 to take the $300,000 Parx Dirt Mile as the even-money favorite under Joel Rosario.
The veteran gelding paid $4.20 and reasserted his affinity for the track while holding off late threats from Coastal Mission in third.
- Connections: Nelson Avenue — trainer Jorge Abreu, jockey Joel Rosario, owners Photos Finish LLC.
- Trip/pace: With honest fractions carved out by Dilger, Nelson Avenue produced a measured rail rally and stayed on best through the final sixteenth.
- Takeaway: Proven mile efficiency and track preference point to continued success in listed/graded mile events with similar pace shapes.
Greenwood Cup (G3)
No Bien Ni Mal (BRZ) outdueled Double Your Money to win the $200,000 Greenwood Cup at 1 1/2 miles, running approximately 2:31.23 on dirt.
The Paulo Lobo trainee delivered a strong sustained run under Joel Rosario to assert late over a pace-forward rival.
- Connections: No Bien Ni Mal — trainer Paulo H. Lobo, jockey Joel Rosario, owner Duplo Ouro Stables LLC.
- Trip/pace: After tracking a steady tempo, the winner tipped out to gradually wear down the leader in a stamina test that played to his grinding style.
- Takeaway: The performance underscores classic-marathon suitability and positions him for further graded staying assignments this fall.
Liberty Bell
Mystic Lake wired the $150,000 Liberty Bell in 1:15.87 for 6 1/2 furlongs, turning back Volleyballprincess as favored Carmelina flattened late.
The win marked her fourth consecutive stakes victory of the season and continued a productive campaign for the Mo Town filly.
- Takeaway: Her gate-to-wire efficiency and current form make her a pace threat wherever she lands next at 6–7 furlongs.
- Connections: Mystic Lake — trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., jockey Tyler Gaffalione, owners C2 Racing Stable and Stefania Farms.
- Trip/pace: Quick from the gate, she controlled the tempo and kept finding late, a pattern consistent with her recent front-running wins.
Aventura Stakes (BT)
Wayne’s Law drew off to win the $75,000 Aventura by 7 1/4 lengths in 1:40.84 on fast dirt, defeating Road Forever and Strategic Reserve in a four-horse field.
The Amador Sanchez trainee returned $7.00 and delivered a decisive mile performance after sitting behind a contested early pace before kicking clear in the stretch.
- Connections: Wayne’s Law — trainer Amador M. Sanchez, jockey Marcos Meneses, owner Baalbek Corp.
- Trip/pace: Rated several lengths behind Strategic Reserve and Road Forever through splits of 24.1824.18 and 46.8546.85, then ranged up three-wide and powered away late.
- Takeaway: The authoritative mile win, coupled with tactical tractability, signals a 2-year-old with scope to stretch beyond one turn against regional stakes company.
Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint (BT)
Asher’s Edge captured the $75,000 Bob Umphrey by 2 3/4 lengths after the race was moved from turf to the synthetic surface, stalking Cruzin Man before seizing command at the top of the lane.
The David Fawkes trainee, ridden by Edwin Gonzalez, topped Abrir Caminos and Biz Biz Buzz, validating his prior strong Tapeta record; the official chart summary lists the event as a black-type stakes.
- Connections: Asher’s Edge — trainer David Fawkes, jockey Edwin Gonzalez, owner J J Brevan Stable.
- Trip/pace: Sat second behind a sharp 21.6221.62 opening quarter, tipped out around the turn, and kicked clear late to win with something in reserve.
- Takeaway: The versatile performance on synthetic and measured finishing kick point to continued effectiveness at five furlongs in listed/overnight stakes at Gulfstream.
Ginger Punch Handicap (BT)
Leo Toro wired the $75,000 Ginger Punch in 1:39.62 at approximately 1 mile and 70 yards after the race was conducted on the all‑weather surface, with Starship Impulsive second and Show Off third.
The replay and stakes result confirm a front‑running score for Leo Toro, who controlled the tempo and saw it out strongly into the final furlong.
- Takeaway: The gate‑to‑wire Tapeta win broadens Leo Toro’s profile beyond turf, setting up well for additional one‑turn or two‑turn state‑bred/overnight stakes on the Gulfstream circuit.
- Connections: Leo Toro — trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. with Micah Husbands aboard, earning a first stakes victory in this spot.
- Trip/pace: Broke sharply, established the lead, and never looked back, outfooting a formful Starship Impulsive who had entered seeking a fifth straight win.
