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The Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet is published daily and provides consolidated analysis of all races on the card. A Pick Pony analyst prepares the report, so selections may differ from the , which are based on the consensus of all Pick Pony analysts.
Parx Racing presents an 11-race card on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, featuring primarily claiming races, a maiden claiming sprint for three-year-olds, a Pennsylvania-bred allowance, and a higher-level allowance optional claiming event. Purses range from 21,000 to 50,000 dollars, with first post at 12:05 PM EST.
Field sizes are generally strong, with particularly large and competitive lineups in Race 7 (16 entrants) and Race 11 (15 entrants). Multiple horses arrive off recent scratches, layoff lines, or class moves noted in the scratch watch, indicating some volatility in form cycles and fitness.
Weather and Track Conditions
The forecast for Bensalem, Pennsylvania on February 3 calls for cloudy conditions with a high around 34°F and a low near 20°F. Precipitation chances are essentially zero, implying a dry afternoon.
Given these cold but dry conditions, the Parx main track is expected to play fast. Winter surfaces at Parx in similar conditions typically favor horses with tactical speed that can secure position early and stay out of kickback, while deep closers require both honest pace and clean trips.
Track Bias and Post Position Overview
Historical analysis of Parx indicates a relatively fair surface overall with no extreme or persistent bias. There are, however, subtle tendencies worth noting:
In sprints, inside posts have a mild edge, with the inside three slots winning at a somewhat higher rate than outside gates, especially at the classic six-furlong distance. This advantage is not overwhelming but can matter in full fields.
In routes, post effects are less pronounced as fields have more time to sort out positioning into the first turn. The primary edge shifts toward horses with tactical speed who can secure a stalking or pressing trip.
Cold, dry conditions tend to keep the surface firm, which slightly emphasizes early speed. On today’s card, that effect is relevant in the short sprints at 5.5 and 6 furlongs and in the large-field seven-furlong events.
Race 1 – Claiming 7,500, 5.5 Furlongs, Dirt, NW3L
Twelve older runners line up in a mid-level claiming sprint. The projected pace is honest, with multiple speed types drawn across the field.
Key contenders include Dixieland Chill and Rolly, both from the Bruce Kravets barn, and Hyper Inflation from the Kathleen Demasi stable. Dixieland Chill projects as a slower-into-stride leader or pace-presser with Kravets’ typical fit, front-running profile and is complemented by jockey Ricardo Chiappe’s solid Parx statistics. Rolly brings the sharpest early foot among the Kravets pair and enough class and experience to clear or stalk from a forward spot.
Hyper Inflation, recently successful at Penn National, brings fresh form and a fast stalking style that fits today’s projected flow, especially if the Kravets pair engage early. Fazaro, a seasoned veteran with tactical speed and a light weight assignment, profiles as a viable secondary option if the main speeds weaken.
Race 2 – Claiming 7,500, 1 Mile 70 Yards, Dirt, Fillies and Mares, NW4L
A ten-horse field of fillies and mares lines up at a two-turn distance. Pace projects to flow through Volatility on or near the lead, with Zoning Order likely in close attendance.
Volatility, from the Jamie Ness barn and ridden by Francisco Martinez, profiles as the primary pace force and key contender. She owns consistent route efforts and enough tactical speed to control or sit just off the front in a race lacking multiple quality speed rivals. Zoning Order, with Angel Rodriguez up, brings a fast stalking style and strong current form, and figures to apply immediate pressure if Volatility gets too comfortable.
Among the secondary group, You Know Me, partnered with Silvestre Gonzalez, offers a balanced stalk-and-finish profile and a recent win over similar. Faytastic, with Dexter Haddock, shows mid-pack tendencies and enough staying power to clunk up late, particularly if the top two hook up earlier than expected.
Race 3 – Claiming 7,500, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt, NW2L
An eight-horse route where class and trainer intent are critical. Pace should be controlled but honest, with Rocket Night and Skull Honor both capable of showing early foot.
Rocket Night owns the fastest early figures and a proven ability to secure the front or press effectively, with solid support from jockey Andy Hernandez. Skull Honor, for J. Tyler Servis, stands out on trainer statistics alone, with an exceptionally high win and in-the-money rate from a limited string. He offers a fast pace profile and likely improves further with experience at the distance.
Sittin Chilly, under Silvestre Gonzalez, rates as a key secondary player with tactical versatility to sit just behind the speed and finish late. Roxton, making a start for Richard Vega with Angel Castillo aboard, brings a grinding style suitable for 1 1/16 miles and could be well placed to pick up pieces if the leaders soften each other late.
Race 4 – Starter Optional Claiming 16,000, 6 Furlongs, Dirt, NW2L
Eight older horses contest a starter optional claiming sprint. The projected pace is straightforward, with Confiscated clearly holding the early speed edge.
Confiscated, trained by Kathleen Demasi and ridden by Silvestre Gonzalez, shapes up as the controlling speed in this spot. His sprint profile and recent efforts suggest he can secure the front and dictate the tempo, particularly given the absence of multiple high-quality pace rivals. His recent second-place finish at a similar trip indicates he holds his form well.
Keeping the Faith, for Jacinto Solis and Dexter Haddock, brings route-to-sprint dynamics and a slow but sustained pace profile, likely sitting in the second flight before rallying in the lane. Punch It Margaret and Legendary Thunder represent the main secondary threats, projecting as mid-pack types that benefit if Confiscated encounters more pace pressure than expected.
Race 5 – Claiming 10,000, 6 Furlongs, Dirt, Fillies and Mares
Eight fillies and mares square off in a solid mid-level sprint with several consistent performers. Pace looks honest to slightly fast, with Popover Gal and Getaway Palace having the capacity to push early fractions.
Popover Gal, for trainer James Noble and rider Silvestre Gonzalez, owns a strong win percentage, recent winning form, and a fast pace profile that should place her in or just off the lead. Her prior success at Parx over similar trips makes her a prominent contender.
Society Ball, from the Jamie Ness and Mychel Sanchez team, brings a late-running style and considerable class for this level, with substantial earnings and multiple wins on her record. Misspent, with Jorge Vargas Jr., offers a compact and consistent sprint profile with high in-the-money rates and proven six-furlong ability. Sundria, under Josue Arce and Jeriel Catala, fits as a mid-pack closer that benefits from any pace collapse.
Race 6 – Maiden Claiming 15,000, 5.5 Furlongs, Dirt, Three-Year-Olds
A seven-horse maiden sprint where lightly raced or improving types can move forward quickly. Pace appears moderate, with Chubasco Sauce and Whiskey Alley offering the most natural early speed, but no confirmed burner in the field.
Knockanarrow, trained by Hugo Padilla and ridden by Andy Hernandez, is the morning-line favorite and projects to sit forwardly placed behind the speed. As a third-time starter with incremental improvement, he represents the strongest combination of foundation and upside.
Chubasco Sauce, for Richard Vega and Dexter Haddock, brings the clearest early speed profile and could prove dangerous if allowed a comfortable front-end trip. Peach Smoothie, under Brandon Kulp and Angel Rodriguez, offers a stalk-and-pounce style that should fit today’s pace scenario, especially if Chubasco Sauce faces any early company.
Race 7 – Claiming 7,500, 7 Furlongs, Dirt, NW3L
A deep 16-horse field at seven furlongs creates a complex pace and trip scenario. Donnelly’s Hollow and Real Talented appear to possess the sharpest early speed, with numerous stalkers and mid-pack runners in behind.
Donnelly’s Hollow, from the Kulp barn with Angel Rodriguez aboard, shows strong early pace figures, a healthy win percentage, and recent winning form at a route distance. The cutback to seven furlongs combined with tactical speed positions him as a prime contender.
Noble Gentleman, representing Jamie Ness and Mychel Sanchez, brings class and a fast stalker profile. Despite a modest win record relative to his earnings, his connections and consistency in tougher spots make him a primary player if he can work out a trip from his draw.
Secondary contenders include Hey Buddy, for Ernesto Padilla-Preciado and Jorge Vargas Jr., who offers a balanced pace profile and strong win and in-the-money percentages, and Exclusive Dancer, who brings class and a stalking style that fits large-field dynamics. Watch Hill stands out as a potential longshot with a versatile stalking style and the services of Silvestre Gonzalez, well-suited for navigating through a bulky field.
Race 8 – Claiming 5,000, 5.5 Furlongs, Dirt, Fillies and Mares
Fourteen fillies and mares contest a lower-level claiming sprint with relatively modest dedicated speed. The race tilts toward tactically versatile types who can secure position early without needing the absolute lead.
Pontiffany, from the Michael Pino barn with Mychel Sanchez aboard, stands as a key name on connections alone. Pino’s strong win percentage and Sanchez’s current Parx dominance make this mare notable even at the bottom claiming level. Sirani, under Dexter Haddock for Pedro Mercedes, combines tactical depth and experience, fitting a stalk-and-finish blueprint ideal for the projected pace.
Hopeforgreatness, trained by Hugo Padilla with Jean Aguilar riding, may offer incremental improvement stepping into this condition, while Bad Temper, carrying a light impost, could capitalize if positioned close to the pace in the early stages.
Race 9 – Allowance, 6.5 Furlongs, Dirt, PA-Bred, NW1X
Nine Pennsylvania-bred runners line up in a high-quality allowance sprint. Pace should be fast and contested, with Beyondexpectations the key speed, closely attended by Mr Punctuality and Son of Thor.
Beyondexpectations, trained by Robert Reid Jr. and ridden by Mychel Sanchez, holds a dominant record for this level, with a high win percentage and excellent in-the-money rate. His ability to either make the lead or sit just off the pace makes him the central figure in this event.
Mr Punctuality, for Guadalupe Preciado and Dexter Haddock, offers a very consistent profile at this distance, with a blend of speed and stamina that keeps him in contention throughout. Son of Thor, trained by Michael Pino, carries one of the highest win percentages in the field and arrives in sharp form, fitting as a major secondary threat capable of pressing or stalking effectively.
Au Some Warrior, for Susan Crowell, appears as a possible overlay after a recent win at a similar distance, fitting as an under-the-radar type who can take advantage if the top trio overcommit early.
Race 10 – Allowance Optional Claiming 16,000, 6.5 Furlongs, Dirt
An 11-horse field at 6.5 furlongs composed of older runners sitting just under stakes caliber. The pace picture is balanced, with several potential pace factors but no single overwhelming front-runner.
Airman Trevor, Smoke Wagon, Redacted, Jackson Road, and Coach Bennett form a competitive middle group with varying running styles. Jackson Road, with Ernesto Padilla-Preciado and Jorge Vargas Jr., brings proven class and experience at Parx and fits well from a tactical standpoint in a race with several pressers and stalkers.
Coach Bennett, from the Robert Reid Jr. stable, benefits from strong barn form and projects to sit a productive stalking trip under Angel Rodriguez, while Smoke Wagon, for Jacinto Solis and Ruben Silvera, provides an experienced, versatile option who can adapt to how the first half-mile unfolds.
Race 11 – Claiming 7,500, 6.5 Furlongs, Dirt, NW4L
The 15-horse finale shapes as one of the day’s most complex contests, with a likely hot pace featuring Shipman, Palm Island, The Grayt Pumpkin, and potentially Transcendental all showing front-running or pressing tendencies.
Palm Island, from the Jamie Ness barn with Mychel Sanchez, brings speed, class, and seasoned connections, making him a central player despite the expected pace pressure. Shipman, trained by Michael Pino and ridden by Yedsit Hazlewood, holds the fastest early pace figures and benefits from a light weight assignment, making him a major pace presence.
Transcendental and The Grayt Pumpkin, both connected to trainer Esteban Padilla, add further early heat, with The Grayt Pumpkin in particular arriving off a strong recent win and possessing the speed to be in the vanguard from the outset. Biagio, for Guadalupe Guerrero and Dexter Haddock, offers more tactical flexibility and may prove effective if the pace battle at the front intensifies.
Overall, the finale is shaped by its abundant front-running types, leaving room for stalking and mid-pack runners to work into the frame late if the leaders soften each other, particularly those from barns demonstrating consistent winter form at Parx.
