Seize the Grey faces ten three year old rivals in this year’s Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing in Bensalem, PA. The Preakness winner skipped the Travers Stakes at Saratoga in favor of the one million dollar Pennsylvania Derby on September 21, 2024. Trained by the legendary, Hall of Fame trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, the Arrogate colt worked 5 furlongs in 59.20 on September 13th at Saratoga in preparation for Pennsylvania’s premier race.
Anticipating a large group of Seize the Grey’s owners for the PA Derby, Parx placed a tent in the picnic area for them to gather on Derby Day, and if Seize the Grey wins, Parx may need to enlarge their winner’s circle. Seize the Grey’s owners, MyRacehorse, consists of 2,570 micro share holders. Shares sold for $127 each when offered after his purchase for $300,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale.
MyRacehorse is a fractional race horse ownership platform founded and headed by CEO Michael Behrens. In partnership with Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, the goal is to offer the experience of race horse ownership to people who buy micro shares in a race horse. MyRacehorse offers its’ share holders tours of Kentucky breeding farms, tickets and box seats at top races throughout the country, access to jockeys and trainers, and regular updates on upcoming events and races through their app. 1/ST Racing, owners of Pimlico Race Course, Gulfstream Park Race Track, and Santa Anita Park, also made a $7 million dollar investment in MyRacehorse to help promote horse racing. They are not involved with horse ownership or decision making policies, but encourage innovative thinking and new ideas to promote horse racing. MyRacehorse is not just a club, the stock holders share in winnings and future breeding income. Seize the Grey secured a stallion deal with Gainesway Farm in Kentucky for up to $13.5 million. Gainesway secured ninety per cent stallion rights, and MyRacehorse will receive ten per cent. MyRacehorse retains 100 per cent of his racing rights.
To date, Seize the Grey won four races and earned $1,869,938. He won the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs and the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course defeating the Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan. In the PA Derby, Seize the Grey, with jockey Jaime Torres, drew post position 2 in a field of eleven. His main competition includes another Arrogate colt, Dragoon Guard at 9/5, and the winner of this year’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, Stronghold at 5/2.
Also on derby day, the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes for 3 year old fillies offers fans a chance to watch the top filly in the country, Thorpedo Anna compete in an eight horse field. This is her first race back since her second place in the Travers Stakes against the boys. Her top competition in the Cotillion includes Tarifa and Power Squeeze, but she is favored to win. Other stakes on the day include the Grade 2 Gallant Bob, the Grade 3 Turf Monster on the turf, and the Grade 3 Greenwood Cup Stakes. Stakes filled racing, top jockeys and trainers, artists, entertainment, family fun, and live bands await racing fans on PA Derby Day.
Premier equine artist Celeste Susany of Susany Arts in Saratoga Springs, New York, will display her work on the first floor of the grand stand. She is well known for her equine portraits of Triple Crown winners and race track scenes. At Parx, she will showcase her painting of Seize the Grey and offer prints and canvas giclees. Celeste’s work graced the cover of the Saratoga program for many years, and she did commission work for the Kentucky Derby and private clients. “I have been in love with this sport for many moons. This will be my first time at Parx, and I’m very excited,” Celeste said.
Gates open at 10:00 A.M., and post time is 11:35 A.M.
Cover Photo Credit to Averie Levanti
