US racing tips: Tom Collins heads to Parx for two Saturday selections

Leader Of The Band
10.02 Parx
1pt win

Hot Rod Charlie
10.49 Parx
2pts win

Although there is Graded action at Belmont Park, which would usually be my first port of call, both Stakes races look sure to be dominated by the short-priced favourites. So, in a first for the Stateside column, we are off to Pennsylvania for the big racenight at Parx.

The $1million Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby (10.49) heads a sparkling 13-race card. Kentucky Derby first-past-the-post Medina Spirit's withdrawal earlier in the week provides Hot Rod Charlie with a dream trip scenario and that makes him extremely tough to beat.

One of the stars of the season, the Doug O'Neill-trained three-year-old colt landed the Louisiana Derby in March before placing in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, in which he ran a screamer behind Essential Quality after setting rattling fractions.

Hot Rod Charlie was rightly disqualified after crossing Midnight Bourbon – causing him to unseat Paco Lopez – in the Haskell last time, but he still proved his capabilities by winning that race and he can reassert his dominance over this group after a two-month layoff.

The preceding Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes (10.02) is a much trickier puzzle with Alabama Stakes third Army Wife, form play Clairiere and the promising Always Carina all holding form claims.

However, I'm going to take a chance on course specialist and rank outsider Leader Of The Band for trainer John Servis and leading Parx rider Frankie Pennington.

She may lack the exciting pedigree and profile of her aforementioned rivals, but this three-time winner has shown an affinity for the track and caused a shock in the Monmouth Oaks on her penultimate outing.

Leader Of The Band was unfavoured by steady middle fractions last time, but ran home powerfully for second and should get a much stronger pace to close into this time. If the bookies match her morning line price of 12-1, she is the value play.

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