McKinzie returned off a six-month layoff to capture the G1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing by two lengths Sept. 22. His 107 Beyer is level with Triple Crown winner Justify as the highest route Beyer of the sophomore generation. Only sprinter Promises Fulfilled, with a 108 in the six and one-half furlong Amsterdam Stakes in July, has notched a higher number.
The three-year-old colt by Street Sense had been on the sidelines since finishing second in the G2 San Felipe Stakes in March. Despite missing the spring and summer, McKinzie signaled that he would be a serious contender for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in November with Saturday’s decisive victory.
Breaking alertly under regular rider Mike Smith, McKinzie was settled just behind the leader in second through the early stages of the race. McKinzie moved up to challenge leader Trigger Warning on the far turn and had taken command as the field hit the top of the lane. McKinzie continued to pull away in the stretch, eventually crossing the wire two lengths in front.
Bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Farm, McKinzie is out of the multiple Graded Stakes winning mare, Runway Model, winner of the G2 Darley Alcibiades, G2 Golden Rod, and placed in the G1 Ashland Stakes. McKinzie is a half-brother to Stakes-placed Rompin Reid (by Medaglia d’Oro), and hails from the family of Graded Stakes winners Saham (G3 Jefferson Cup) and Sea Ditty (G3 Affectionately Handicap).
McKinzie provided Street Sense with his second Stakes winner of the day at Parx Racing. Earlier on the card his five-year-old son, Aztec Sense, remained a perfect seven-for-seven in 2018 with his victory in the PA Derby Champion Stakes.
In addition to McKinzie, Street Sense is represented by Graded Stakes winners Avery Island (G3 Withers) and The Lieutenant (G3 All American Stakes) in 2018.
