The Crowd Pleaser Stakes for registered Pennsylvania breds going one mile and one sixteenth on the turf, usually held at Parx Racing, is at Penn National Race Course this year.
Kim Pratt Photo
One of the early favorites and the lone filly in the Crowd Pleaser Stakes on Friday, August 29th, Queen’s Wreath hopes to score another victory on the turf. She raced twice on the turf and won twice, and she was stakes placed in the Malvern Rose Stakes on the all weather track at Presque Isle Downs. Another early favorite at 3/1, Ballad of Warrior, a winner of three races this year, is making his turf debut in the Crowd Pleaser. Trained by Brandon Kulp, Ballad of Warrior, by one of Pennsylvania’s leading sires, Warrior’s Reward, won his last out at Penn National and is stakes placed and the winner of four races lifetime.
Another entry trained by Brandon Kulp and by Warrior’s Reward, The Boy’s Warrior drew post position one and is 6/1 in the early odds. A multiple stakes winner at two, he is also making his turf debut. The Boy’s Warrior won three in a row as a two year old including the Whistle Pig Stakes and the Mark McDermott Stakes. He finished up his two year old year with a second in the Nursery Stakes at Parx Racing. This year, he won his first race back, but was a disappointing sixth in his last race in May, and the Crowd Pleaser is his first race since May.
Kim Pratt Photo
Crab Daddy broke his maiden at two by winning the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes at Parx. He continued strong with a pair of seconds in the Parx Future Stars Stakes at Parx and the Spectacular Bid Stakes at Laurel. In his latest attempt, he finished last in a turf race at Colonial Downs.
Kim Pratt Photo
Lightly raced, Mycroft broke his maiden in a claiming race last out on the turf at Penn National, and in his previous start, he was second at Laurel in a maiden claiming race on the turf. His best races were on the turf.
Stakes placed Shadow Factor won two races this year, had three seconds and three thirds in eight starts. He never raced on the turf, but was consistent on the all weather track at Presque Isle Downs.
“We’ve been trying to get him on the grass, so this looks like a good spot to try,” said trainer Eddie Coletti, Jr. about his horse, Let’smakeitadouble. “He’s bred for the grass, he’s got the pedigree, and he’s training great. He’s training like a grass horse too. It’s a little close back for him since his last race, but the Crowd Pleaser was supposed to be on the 15th. He’s feeling good though, so as long as the race stays on the turf, we’ll be going,” Coletti said.
Ohio Joe, by Jimmy Creed, raced once on the turf at Delaware Park where he finished sixth. In his last race at Parx on the dirt, he stopped and finished last.
Post Time on Friday at Penn National is 2:00 P.M., and post time for the Crowd Pleaser is 4:20 P.M.
Cover Photo Credit to Kim Pratt
