Douglas Scharbauer and Three Chimneys Farm’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner, Always a Runner, aims to secure her second Grade 1 triumph this season and reestablish herself as a leading contender for champion 3-year-old filly honors in Saturday’s $1-million Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx Racing.
The Cotillion, featured on the heavily anticipated 15-race betPARX Pennsylvania Derby Day card, attracted a competitive lineup of nine horses. Alongside Always a Runner, notable entrants include the late-blooming, multiple Grade 1-placed Measure, Black-Eyed Susan and Monmouth Oaks winner My Miss Mo, Grade 1 winner Iron Orchard, and Grade 2 winner Zany.
Always a Runner, who previously won the Grade 3 Gazelle and Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, has finished second twice to Counting Stars in Grade 1 races at Saratoga. She has drawn post four and is the morning line favorite at 8-5, according to David Osojnak, Parx Racing’s Director of Racing and Racing Secretary.
Trained by Chad Brown, the 3-year-old daughter of Gun Runner will be ridden by Jose Ortiz in the 1 1/16-mile Cotillion. She has three wins and two seconds from five starts, with earnings totaling $1,184,800.
Measure, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, and Gary Barber, enters the Cotillion following consecutive Grade 1 placings at Saratoga — a third behind Counting Stars and Always a Runner in the Coaching Club American Oaks and a second to My Gun’s Loaded in the Alabama Stakes. Trained by Mark Casse, Measure will be piloted by Manny Franco and is the second choice at 4-1.
Zany, owned by Repole Stable and trained by Todd Pletcher, is the 9-2 third favorite with jockey John Velazquez aboard. The daughter of American Pharoah finished second in the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes in April at Keeneland and recently placed fourth in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks. She has three wins in six starts and has earned $414,625.
My Miss Mo joins the Cotillion on a two-race winning streak under trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and owners Averill Racing, Mathis Stable, and Tristan De Meric. The daughter of Uncle Mo captured the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes in May at Laurel Park and the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks in late July, securing 5-1 odds with jockey Tyler Gaffalione.
Tap to Open, tied at the 8-1 mark with Bodacious Bay, is a contender that could earn a $50,000 bonus for owner Whisper Hill Farm and trainer Brad Cox if she wins the Cathryn Sophia and the Cotillion.
The Cotillion Stakes lineup from the rail outward, including trainer, jockey, and morning-line odds:
- My Miss Mo, Saffie Joseph Jr., Tyler Gaffalione, 5-1
- Bodacious Bay, Saffie Joseph Jr., Micah Husbands, 8-1
- Zany, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez, 9-2
- Always a Runner, Chad Brown, Jose Ortiz, 8-5
- Iron Orchard, Steve Asmussen, Luis Saez, 12-1
- Savor It, Uriah St. Lewis, Francisco Martinez, 30-1
- Ms Sophistication, Jorge Duarte Jr., Paco Lopez, 15-1
- Measure, Mark Casse, Manny Franco, 4-1
- Tap to Open, Brad Cox, Flavien Prat, 8-1
This story was first reported by Paulick Report on September 13, 2026, in their News section.
Fan Take: This race is a pivotal moment for the season’s top 3-year-old fillies, potentially shaping year-end honors and cementing legacies. Exciting matchups like this renew fan enthusiasm and spotlight the sport’s depth of talent, ensuring horse racing remains thrilling and competitive.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
