Kentucky Oaks winner Always a Runner returns to the Grade 1 stage on September 19 when she leads a field of nine three year old fillies in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing.
The Cotillion is contested at one and one sixteenth miles on dirt and shares the spotlight with the Pennsylvania Derby on one of the most important cards of the Parx season.
Always a Runner returns after two Grade 1 seconds
Always a Runner won the Gazelle Stakes and then captured the Kentucky Oaks in the spring. She has since finished second to Counting Stars in both the Acorn Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga.
Trainer Chad Brown elected to bypass the Alabama Stakes and target the Cotillion. Always a Runner drew post 4 with Jose Ortiz named to ride and was installed as the morning line favorite.
Measure and My Miss Mo bring strong recent form
Measure arrives after consecutive Grade 1 placings at Saratoga, including a runner up finish in the Alabama Stakes. My Miss Mo enters on a two race winning streak after taking the Black Eyed Susan Stakes and Monmouth Oaks.
Zany adds another accomplished contender after finishing second in the Ashland Stakes earlier this season. Iron Orchard is already a Grade 1 winner, while Tap to Open enters after winning the Cathryn Sophia Stakes at Parx.
2026 Cotillion Stakes field
- My Miss Mo, Tyler Gaffalione
- Bodacious Bay, Micah Husbands
- Zany, John Velazquez
- Always a Runner, Jose Ortiz
- Iron Orchard, Luis Saez
- Savor It, Francisco Martinez
- Ms Sophistication, Paco Lopez
- Measure, Manny Franco
- Tap to Open, Flavien Prat
The Cotillion is scheduled as Race 13 on the 15 race Pennsylvania Derby Day program. The race gives this group another major opportunity to strengthen its standing in the three year old filly division as the season moves toward the fall championships.
For permanent race information, history and future updates, visit the OTB Bet Cotillion Stakes guide. Fans can also explore the Gallant Bob Stakes, another major race on the Parx card.
Sources: Parx Racing race information and the September 13 Cotillion field report distributed from Parx Racing.
