AFTER her valiant defeat to Fierceness in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes, the top three-year-old filly Thorpedo Anna returns to action before her Breeders’ Cup target when she takes on her own sex again in the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes (10.20pm).

Seeking her fourth Grade 1 victory of the year, the Fast Anna filly only has to produce close to her form to take this.

Power Squeeze- behind the favourite in both the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks (sixth) and Acorn Stakes (third) her only two defeats in her last eight races, took the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes in the final stride on her last outing and looks the bet for second.

The Godolphin/ Brad Cox/Flavien Prat combination are represented by the Bernardini filly Tarifa, who had three stakes races wins at Fair Grounds in the spring before she was well beaten in the Kentucky Oaks. Absent until mid-August, she was only second as favourite in the Audubon Oaks at Ellis Park. The Bill Mott/Juddmonte representative Sidamara, a daughter of Arrogate, could be the second best as an on-form Thorpedo Anna should be too good for these.

Pennsylvania Derby

It’s a well-matched field of 11 for the Grade 1 nine-furlong Pennsylvania Derby (11.10pm). The Bill Mott/Juddmonte colt Dragoon Guard, another progeny of the late Arrogate, looking to step up to the big time at Grade 1 level. He has won his last four outings after a single run at two.

Phil D’Amato’s Stronghold won the Sunland and Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby before finishing only seventh in the Kentucky Derby. He was then favourite but only second by over two lengths behind Dragoon Guard in the Grade 3 Indiana Derby in July. There is a lot of pace in this race and although drawn widest, he could take a closer place in the finish here.

Seize The Day has been well beaten in the Belmont and Jim Dandy since his all the way Preakness success. Both those races were at Saratoga, which D. Wayne Lukas noted might not have suited the horse.

SELECTION: DRAGOON GUARD

Next Best: Stronghold

German Preview

Some of the attraction is missing with the withdrawal of King George winner Goliath but it has Charlie Appleby’s multiple Group 1 winner Rebel’s Romance up against German Derby winner Palladium, and Jessica Harrington sends over Trevaunance, who picked up second place in this last season.

The other three-year-old is Maxim Pecheur’s German Oaks winner Erle. Gestut Rottgen’s homebred is unbeaten this season but the form was not held up, with the third Lady Mark well beaten in the US last week.

Lordano is not without a chance either. Rebel’s Romance ran a fine race when third in the King George and should add to his win in this in 2022.