Kentucky-bred Seize the Grey, winner of the Preakness S. (G1) earlier this year, notched his second Grade 1 score with a decisive victory in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at PARX on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Ridden by Jaime Torres, Seize the Grey set a pressured pace in the 1 1/8-mile fixture. He shook clear around the far turn before being tackled by Southern California shipper Stronghold. After repelling the bid from Stronghold, Seize the Grey shot clear of his foes again, drawing out to a 3 ¾-length victory. The gray or roan colt stopped the clock in 1:51.89.
Campaigned by MyRacehorse and trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Seize the Grey is now a winner in five of 13 starts. The $546,000 winner’s share of the Pennsylvania Derby purse increased Seize the Grey’s bankroll to more than $2.4 million.
“I don’t know if I have ever been involved with that many people who are crying and hugging and jumping up and down,” Lukas shared on BloodHorse.com, in reference to the 2,570 micro-share owners of the Pennsylvania Derby winner. “They were driving all night to get here. It was unbelievable. I have always felt as trainers that we have done it, but the real joy is doing it for your clients.”
Bred in Kentucky by Jamm LTD., Seize the Grey is by the late Arrogate out of the Smart Strike mare Smart Shopping. My Racehorse went to $300,000 to acquire him from the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, where he was consigned by Mill Ridge Sales. In addition to the Pennsylvania Derby, Seize the Grey won the Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico and the Pat Day Mile S. (G2) at Churchill Downs prior to his Classic win.