BENSALEM, Pa. (Monday, September 17, 2018) - A field of nine will go post-ward in the $150,000 PA Derby Champion Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.

Among the strength of the group is the Bob Baffert-trained multiple graded stakes winner Collected who makes only his second start of the year after finishing seventh in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes on January 27 at Gulfstream Park.

After being given significant time away from racing the Hall of Fame trainer was considering about trying turf with his 5-year-old Kentucky-bred by City Zip, but instead opted to race here at Parx with Hall of Famer Mike Smith getting the call as Collected goes for his 15th career start.

Collected rattled off four straight victories beginning with the Santana Mile Stakes before sweeping the Grade 2 Californian Stakes, Grade 3 Precisionist Stakes and Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar before closing to finish second behind Gun Runner in the Breeders' Cup Classic on November 4at Del Mar.

Shipping in with some strong works at Santa Anita, Collected draws post 7.

While carrying a perfect six wins from six starts this year, Aztec Sense looks for his fourth straight win at Parx after the 5 -year-old gelding by Street Sense swept the Turning For Home Handicap on June 23 and a starter allowance on July 30 before stalking and drawing off to win the Salvatore M. Debunda PTHA President's Cup Stakes by 3 1/2 lengths on August 25.

The Jorge Navarro trainee has never lost at Parx through five career starts will break from post 6 under Emisael Jaramillo.

New Jersey-bred Sunny Ridge will get class relief from trainer Jason Servis after his ninth place finish in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes on September 1 at Saratoga. Making his 20th career start, the 5-year-old gelding by Holy Bull returns to Parx for the first time since finishing 11th in the 2016 Pennsylvania Derby. Sunny Ridge will run from post 2 and will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.

Others entered to run in the PA Derby Champion Stakes are: Small Bear for trainer Gary Sciacca and jockey Emmanuel Esquivel from post 1; Zanotti for trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero and jockey Angel Arroyo from post 3; Name Changer for trainer Alan Goldberg and jockey Jose Ortiz from post 4; Prince of Hempt for trainer Timothy Kreiser and jockey Angel Rodriguez from post 5; Grasshoppin for trainer Claudio Gonzalez and jockey Edwin Rivera from post 8; and Exulting for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin with a rider to be named from post 9.