They may not need a recount in the Eclipse Award voting for 3-year-old fillies.
Without running, the Todd Pletcher-trained Nest increased her edge in the division Saturday. The Grade 1 Cotillion defeat of Secret Oath effectively removed the Kentucky Oaks winner as a championship threat.
Society ($17.60) scored yet another major victory for first-year sire Gun Runner in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing. Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, who trains top 3-year-old colt Epicenter, had Society poised for her fifth victory in six starts.
Under a hand ride from Florent Geroux, Society won by almost six lengths over a fast-rated nine furlongs in 1:42.94. Morning Machta, on her home track, finished second by two lengths at 48-1 over Secret Oath, a lukewarm second betting choice at 11-5. Parx runner Green Up was fourth as 9-5 favorite.
A three-time Oaklawn winner for Hall of Fame trainer Wayne Lukas, Secret Oath is winless since the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks May 6. Nest, the Belmont Stakes runner-up against males, beat her soundly in two Grade 1 races at Saratoga.
Make it a Parx racing sweep for Gun Runner offspring.
Taiba ($4.60) scored his second Grade 1 victory, first for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, in the Pennsylvania Derby. Kentucky Derby show horse Zandon was second and Arkansas Derby winner Cyberknife, seeking his third Grade 1 victory, ran third.
Hall of Famer Mike Smith rode the winner, who took the Santa Anita Derby for trainer Tim Yakteen when Baffert horses were ineligible for the Kentucky Derby. Taiba ran 12th in the classic and second to Cyberknife in the Grade 1 Haskell July 23 at Monmouth Park.