Purse upgrade for Cotillion Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Bensalem, PA (Sports Network) - Three straight years of high quality fields and winners has propelled Parx Racing's Cotillion Stakes to the top of the thoroughbred world.

Not only has the 1 1/16-mile event for three-year-old fillies been made a Grade I stakes it now has a $1 million purse, an increase of $250,000.

"To host the first Grade I race in Pennsylvania is a true honor and proves our commitment to the best program and most exciting racing action in the country," said Joe Wilson, chief operating officer of Parx Racing.

This year's Cotillion was won by Plum Pretty, trained by Bob Baffert, who set the pace in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic but faded to fourth behind Royal Delta. Plum Pretty earlier won the Kentucky Oaks and was second in the Hollywood Oaks and Coaching Club American Oaks. Owned by Peachtree Stable, the filly finished fourth in the Alabama to Royal Delta.

Last year's Cotillion featured 2010's top two fillies, Blind Luck and Havre de Grace. It proved to be another thrilling installment in their great rivalry. After beating Havre de Grace in both the Delaware Oaks and Alabama, Blind Luck finally lost to her rival in the Cotillion. Blind Luck and Havre de Grace would go on to finish second and third, respectively, in the Ladies' Classic.

In 2009 Careless Jewel was easily the best three-year-old filly not named Rachel Alexandra. Prior to capturing the Cotillion, Careless Jewel won the Delaware Oaks and Alabama.

Parx Racing's Pennsylvania Derby, for three-year-old colts and geldings, is also worth $1 million.