Bensalem, PA (My Sportsbook) - Anak Nakal, ridden by Joe Bravo, rallied down the stretch to capture Monday's 29th running of the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park. It was the first win of the year for the three- year-old.

Part of the hefty Nick Zito stable of three-year-olds, Anak Nakal settled far off the pace in the 1 1/8 mile event. The early pace was set by Wishful Tomcat and Two Step Salsa, the second pick behind Smooth Air.

The top two runners took the 13-horse field into the far turn as Anak Nakal began his move from the back of the pack. On the turn for home Two Step Salsa had a short lead as Acai rallied on the outside.

At the top of the stretch Bravo drove his mount down the middle of the track to catch Acai just before the wire. Anak Nakal registered a neck victory over Acai with 4-1 favorite Smooth Air holding on for third.

Stones River was fourth followed by Atoned, Two Step Salsa, Tiz Now Tiz Then, You and I Forever, Alaazo, Only for Now, Ready Set, Numaany and Wishful Tomcat. Power Game was scratched.

The time for the PA Derby was 1:48.99 on a fast track.

Anak Nakal, owned by Four Roses Thoroughbreds, had been a disappointment this year. In 2007 as a two-year-old the colt won his first start and then was runner-up in the Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct. He closed the season by winning the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs.

As a Kentucky Derby hopeful in 2008, Anak Nakal was eighth in the Fountain of Youth, seventh in the Rebel Stakes and fifth in the Wood Memorial. He rallied for a seventh-place result in the Run for the Roses.

He redeemed himself with a third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes, but was fifth at Saratoga in the Jim Dandy Stakes.

The Labor Day victory was worth $600,000 and is the third career win in 10 starts for Anak Nakal. He has career earnings of $943,416.

This was Joe Bravo's third PA Derby triumph. The former Philadelphia Park regular also won in 1994 with Meadow Flight and in 2003 aboard Grand Hombre.

Anak Nakal returned $34.60, $15.00 and $8.60. Acai paid $10.40 and $6.20, and Smooth Air paid $4.60 to show.