Always a Runner Seeks Winner's Circle in Cotillion

Kentucky Oaks (G1) victress Always a Runner looks to get back to her winning ways in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) Sept. 19 at Parx Racing. It has been a splendid debut campaign for the Gun Runner filly, as she opened the year with three consecutive wins, capped by her Oaks triumph. However, since then, she's come up short in a pair of grade 1s that had similar end results. In both the Acorn Stakes (G1) and the Coaching Club of America Oaks (G1), Always a Runner was always a runner-up to Counting Stars. She was 3 3/4 lengths back in the Acorn, and 4 1/4 lengths shy in the CCA Oaks. The Chad Brown trainee will need a strong showing Saturday if she hopes to reclaim her place as the class of her division. The Cotillion's 1 1/16-mile distance will be a first for Always a Runner, who has gone 1 1/8 miles in all but her first start. Owned by Douglas Scharbauer and Three Chimneys Farm, Always a Runner was tabbed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite. Second choice in the race is a familiar foe, as Measure tries to get her second career win. She was third in the CCA Oaks behind Counting Stars and Always a Runner. It has been part of a recent run of placings, including a second in the Alabama Stakes (G1). Mark Casse's trainee may not have a victory to her name this year, but she's rounding into form. She posted a bullet :47.47 over 4 furlongs at Belmont Park in her last work. She comes into the race at 4-1. Fourth in the CCA Oaks, Zany can reclaim some of the luster that was on her name earlier this year with a win Saturday. After winning the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) to cap her 2025 campaign, she won the Suncoast Stakes and was second in the Ashland Stakes (G1). That put her into the Kentucky Oaks as the favorite, but she got a less-than-ideal trip and finished sixth. After a nearly three-month break, the Todd Pletcher pupil returned in the CCA Oaks and finished fourth. One of two fillies in the field not bred in Kentucky, the Florida-bred My Miss Mo may not carry as much acclaim as some others, but her résumé speaks to her talent. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., the daughter of Uncle Mo has raced four times this year, finishing first or second in each contest. She arrives at Parx having won the Monmouth Oaks (G3) and George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) after placing second in the Davona Dale Stakes (G2) and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).