Anne Marie Duff

9:55 Cotillion Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo Fillies) (Dirt) 1m110y

Three of the top three-year-olds are in action at Parx tonight with the unbeaten filly Songbird the first in action in the Cotillion Stakes.

On an unbeaten streak of 10 wins, she faces two other Grade 1 fillies. Carina Mia threw down a stern challenge in the Coaching Club American Oaks before Songbird saw her off and went on to win by over five lengths.

Cathryn Sophia has campaigned at graded level all season and was behind Carina Mia in the Grade 1 Acorn, but won the Kentucky Oaks and won again at this track two weeks ago where she easily took the Princess Of Sylmar by six and a half lengths. This is her home track and she is a big danger.

Songbird should continue her winning run but this is her toughest task this season, with two strong challengers, and Mike Smith will have to judge the pace right.

Selection: SONGBIRD

Next best: Cathryn Sophia

10:45 Pennsylvania Derby (Grade 2) (3yo) (Dirt) 1m1f

The Pennsylvania Derby is almost a re-run of the Kentucky Derby with the first three home - Nyquist, Exaggerator and Gun Runner - in competition. After winning the Derby, Nyquist went unbeaten into the Preakness but, on a sloppy track, a fast early pace saw him lose out to Santa Anita Derby winner Exaggerator.

Exaggerator makes his ninth start of the season, which has brought him three Grade 1 wins, all on sloppy tracks. He was impressive in the Haskell (Sunny Ridge third) but very disappointing in the Travers, only 11th behind Arrogate, with Gun Runner third.

Cupid has won the Indiana and West Virginia Derbys but needs to step on that form.

Nyquist’s early season form should see him come back to close to his best if Mario Gutierrez manages to get a lead early. Gun Runner could improve on the Haskell. If he can race close to the pace, which maybe set by Awesome Slew, without over exerting, he can take second.