The favorites in the three leading open stakes at Parx on Tuesday figure to be strongly backed. The most high-profile of these was expected to be Vequist, in the $150,000 Cathryn Sophia S., but various outlets reported Monday that the 2020 champion juvenile filly would be sidelined the rest of the year.
Smarty Jones S. (G3) — Race 11 (5:50 p.m. ET)
Fulsome, third as an odds-on choice in the Indiana Derby (G3) last time, is favored to make amends in the $300,000 Smarty Jones S. (G3), a 1 1/16-mile prep for next month’s Pennsylvania Derby (G1). Trained by Brad Cox, Fulsome previously captured the Matt Winn (G3) and Oaklawn S. for owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms.
Vequist’s trainer, Butch Reid, will be represented in the Smarty Jones by Ridin With Biden, runner-up in the Dwyer (G3) over Belmont’s one-turn mile when last seen on July 5.
Parx Dash (G3) — Race 10 (5:15 p.m. ET)
The $200,000 Parx Dash (G3), at five furlongs on the turf, has as its strong favorite The Critical Way, whose three stakes wins this season include back-to-back scores in the Get Serious S. and Wolf Hill S. at Monmouth this summer.
The likely second choice is Francatelli, who placed in the Get Serious as well as the King Leatherbury S. and Da Hoss S. in three starts so far this season.
Cathryn Sophia S. — Race 9 (4:42 p.m. ET)
The Cathryn Sophia, for three-year-old fillies, serves as a prep for the 1 1/16-mile Cotillion (G1) at Parx in late September. With Vequist out, favoritism now falls on Monmouth Oaks (G3) winner Leader of the Band. Dual allowance winner Lovely Ride, who faded to fifth after setting the pace last time in the Indiana Oaks (G3), looks another likely contender.
