Greenwood Cup Stakes 2013 Contenders at Parx Racing

Las Vegas, NV - Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania will be the scene of the Grade 3 Greenwood Cup this Monday, September 2. A purse of $200,000 will be on the line for horses three years old willing to go 1 1/2 miles on Parx's dirt track.

A Field of seven will line up in the Greenwood Cup - race 9 on Parx's Smarty Jones Day undercard. Post time is 4:12 PM. Let's take a look into the credential of all seven combatants for this Grade 3 stakes.

2013 Greenwood Cup Stakes Race Favorite Entries

Pool Play - is a multiple graded stakes winner who finished third in last year`s Washington Park Handicap September 1 and followed that up with an impressive score in the Grade 2 Hawthorne Gold Cup October 6. He was an eighth in the Breeders' Cup Classic but followed that with a very good second in the Grade 3 Hal's Hope behind Csaba at Gulfstream January 13. He has a pair of disappointing sixths this year - in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap February 9 and the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland in April and last time out was another unflattering result - an eighth in the Grade 2 Nijinsky at Woodbine July 21 after a fifth in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs June 15. Pool Play has placed in just one of six races since his Gold Cup score and enters the Greenwood in arguably his worst career form. But as the most experienced and most decorated he should be considered the favorite.

Eldaafer - has four starts this year with a second and a third place finish and has failed to hit the winner`s circle in a year. He has raced against some tough competition however finishing seventh in last year`s United Nations, third in the Grade 2 Hawthorne Gold Cup and seventh in the Breeders' Cup Marathon. He also finished second last time out in the minor Stymie Stakes at Delaware Park after a tenth in the minor Memorial Handicap in May and a fifth in the Grade 3 Skip Away Stakes in March. He has the experience edge on the field Monday but his form isn`t exactly top notch at the moment. In a slightly watered-down field, Eldaafer could emerge.

Greenwood Cup Stakes 2013 | Remaining Contenders

Chief Energy - James Toner trained colt has nine straight Allowance starts ahead of the Greenwood but has won two of his last three - both this summer and on this track. His only graded stakes action came in March 2012 - an eighth in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby. He has placed in four of his last five starts but takes an enormous step up in competition Monday. Chief Energy could be the sneaky surprise of the Greenwood.

Indian Jones - has 10 straight starts at Parx and enters on a two race win streak - both Allowance Optional Claiming races - the last one coming July 14. He races in graded staked company for the first time Monday after 32 career starts brought six wins, three seconds and 12 third place finishes. He has placed in six of seven starts this year however and is the best local hope for a victory Monday.

Greenwood Cup Stakes betting at Parx Racing with OffTrackBetting.com

Charlie Bull - Richard Vega trained gelding races in graded stakes company for the first time after 35 career starts yielded nine wins, seven seconds and five third place finished. Monday marks his first stakes action since three straight minor stakes races in 2010. He does enter the Greenwood in good form however - four wins and three seconds in his last seven starts dating back to March. He does step up in competition Monday but based on results he looks ready!

Suns Out Guns Out - Dale Romans trained colt has a win, two seconds and two third place finishes in seven starts this year and makes his first career start at Parx. He is coming off a second in an Allowance Optional Claiming after a fourth and a win respectively in similar races. He has just two wins in 20 career starts and will be hard pressed to be competitive Monday.

Sky Venture - has three graded stakes starts with zero on the board finishes - the last GS start coming in January 2012 - a sixth in the Grade 3 Hal`s Hope. He has nine starts this year with no wins, two seconds and a third place finish with a fifth in the minor Sumter Stakes at Calder three back. He has four wins in 45 career starts and doesn`t figure to be a factor Monday.