Pennsylvania Derby at a Glance: Dragoon Guard Poised

The $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing attracted one of the stars of the Triple Crown. Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Seize the Grey is among a field of 11 as he looks to get back on the winning track after losses in his past two starts. 1. Doc Sullivan (12-1 morning-line odds): Has been formidable in stakes for New York-breds, but has yet to run in an open stakes. Has the speed figures to be competitive but can he handle the jump in class? JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Mike Miceli 2. Seize the Grey (5-1): After winning the Preakness Stakes, he was seventh in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and fourth in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), both at Saratoga Race Course. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas thinks he may not have liked Saratoga's main track. If that's the case, expect a bounce back effort. If not... JOCKEY: Jaime Torres; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas 3. Lonesome Boy (20-1): Prepped for this in a sprint stakes but he's yet to show that he can win in graded stakes company. JOCKEY: Adam Bowman; TRAINER: Hugo Padilla 4. Timeout (10-1): Has stepped up his game since he stretched out to 1 1/8 miles three starts back. Was third in the Curlin Stakes in his lone stakes effort but his speed figures make him an intriguing possibility. JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Bill Mott 5. Protective (8-1): Finally broke his maiden in his seventh start but he has already run in three graded stakes and has a pair of thirds. That win could wake him up and his top speed figures plus having Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle make him a threat here. JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher 6. Just Step On It (15-1): Was second in the Smarty Jones Stakes, the local prep for this race, and was fourth in the grade 1 Haskell Stakes. Could be an interesting play if the odds are long enough. JOCKEY: Jose Lezcano; TRAINER: Louis Linder Jr. 7. Dragoon Guard (9-5): Lost his debut and then reeled off four straight wins, including the West Virginia Derby (G3) and Indiana Derby (G3). Has plenty of speed and could become locked in a duel with Seize the Grey, but Dragoon Guard seems sharp enough to handle that challenge and be a major factor. JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Brad Cox 8. Unmatched Wisdom (8-1): Didn't show his customary early speed in the Travers Stakes (G1) when he was seventh. Won the Curlin Stakes on the front end and his workouts indicate he can bounce back with a big try here. JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Chad Brown 9. Who's the King (20-1): Gets Mike Smith to ride but lost by 25 lengths in a Saratoga starter-allowance race last time out. Even with a Hall of Famer aboard, it's hard to expect a big effort from him. JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr. 10. Uncle Heavy (12-1): Won the grade 3 Withers Stakes in the winter and later ran in the Preakness and finished sixth on a muddy track. Was third in the Smarty Jones Stakes, but he didn't get much pace to help his late kick. Things should be different here. JOCKEY: Mychel Sanchez; TRAINER: Butch Reid 11. Stronghold (5-2): Won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and then was seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1). In his lone start since then, he was second to Dragoon Guard in the Indiana Derby. Looks formidable on paper but drew a tough post for his stalking running style JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu; TRAINER: Phil D'Amato THE PICK: Dragoon Guard LIVE LONGSHOT: Uncle Heavy SUPERFECTA: 7-11-8-10