Parx Racing featured The Cotillion, a race featuring top fillies including Songbird, winner of her first 10 starts, and Cathryn Sophoa, who won her first Stakes race by 16 lengths, and the Pennsylvania Derby, in which winner of the Kentucky Derby, Myquist, and of the Preakness, Exaggeration, were featured.
In the Cotillion, Songbird, owned by Wilmington native, Rick Porter, a car dealership, continued her winning streak, beating Cathryn Sophia, by almost six lengths, and Carina Mia by another six lengths.
In the Derby, 12-1 Connect connected to take the Derby for owner Paul Pompo, of Warren, New Jersey, and owner of a Brooklyn-based trucking business, and trained by Chad Brown, who was top winner at Saratoga Springs this racing season. Connect won the $100,000 Curlin Stakes at Saratoga Springs in July, and finish sixth in the Travers Stakes on August 27th. Jockey Javier Castellano, a native Venezuelan who now resides in Garden City, N. Y. was aboard Connect. Derby winner Nyquist was third early on Nyquist moved up at the stretch but could not sustain his move,finishing seventh in a field of twelve.
A North Jersey resident and a Connecticut friend discuss the Parx racing program to select a winner.
These two friends, realtors, own several race horses and came to Parx for the Derby.A Northeast Philadelphia trio are frequent Parx visitors and came for the big race, the Pennsylvania Derby and the Cotillion.Another view of Connect at the winner’s circle with owners and family.Connect is greeted by owners and family at the winner’s circle.
Looking at the race on the big screen.A youngster grabs a hoof from the pony attraction.A look at the grandstands at Parx Race Track.Mo 12 is Hit It Once More with Kendrick Carmuche riding.No 11 is Discreet Lover with Jose Flores up.No 10 is Sunny Ridge with Joe Bravo in the saddle.N 9 is Nyquist, the favorite, with Mario Gutirrez in the saddle.No 8 is My Man Sam with Julien Leparoux in the irons.No 7 is Gun Runner with Florent Geroux in the saddle. Gun Runner finished in second place.No 6 is Wild About Deb, with Tiago Periera aboard. He finished third in the race,No 5 is Cupid with Rafael Bejarano up.Another look at Connect.No 4 is Connect with Javier Castellano up, and the ultimate winner of the Derby.No.3 is Summer Revolution with Mike Smith in the saddle.No 2 is Exaggerator with Kent Desprmeaux up. He was expected to be a contender.No1 is Awesome Slew with Poco Lopez aboard.
Start of the Post Parade.A trio of trumpeters bring the race horses to post.This New Yroker, a woman who works as a dog walker, came early to retrieve a poster of the big day with signatures of several jockeys.A photo shows Songbird with the winner’s floral bouquet draped around her neck.Songbird is seen as the winner.The Cotillion as viewed on the big screen.A father hoists his young daughter to gain advantage in seeing the races.No 6 is Queen Esther with Jockey Carol Cedeno aboard.No 5 is Songbird with Mike Smith up.No 4 is Land Over Sea with Jockey Mario Gutierrez aboard.No 3 is Disco Rose with Jockey Edwin Rivera up.No 2 is Cathryn Sophia with Jockey Javier Castellano aboardNo 1 is Carina Mia with Jockey Julien Leparoux
No5 is Songbird with Jockey Mike Smith up.Riders up for The Cotillion
The Cotillion program choices are viewed by hundreds of race fans.A close up of race horse owners.A look at race horse owners.The track viewing area.Several of these people are track employees and discuss program choices.A look at the interior of Parx Race Track.These ladies traveled to the race track from Pittsburgh, Pa, to see Songbird run in The Cotillion.
Race horses are shown to race enthusiasts prior to a race.This couple attend feature races at various tracks throughout the United States..Close up of race garments.Track employees were selling race garments.A close up of these lovely ladies and the hats they wore.These young ladies wore special chapeaus for the Pennsylvania Derby and the Cotillion.This couple came to the Parx Race Track to see Songbird race.A view of horses parading for an earlier race at the Parx.A view of an earlier race at the Parx track.
