Triple Crown competitors Jackson Bend and Schoolyard Dreams are among a field of six that will contest this $200,000 Pegasus Stakes (gr. III), the June 19 feature at Monmouth Park.
In his last start, Robert LaPenta’s Jackson Bend was less than a length from victory in the Preakness (gr. I) May 15 at Pimlico, beaten three-quarters by Lookin At Lucky and a head by First Dude . The Nick Zito trainee has earned more than $800,000 in his career and though he is winless as a 3-year-old, has finished in the money in all of his starts, except the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) when he checked in 12th over the sloppy going.
The son of Hear No Evil—Sexy Stockings, by Tabasco Cat, swept the Florida Stallion Stakes series as a juvenile at Calder. Jose Lezcano has the mount for the first time.
Eric Fein and Anthony Mitola’s Schoolyard Dreams, who stables at Monmouth with trainer Derek Ryan, was last seen in the Preakness where he made a move entering the far turn, but faded in the lane to finish ninth. Prior to that, the son of Stephen Got Even was fourth in the Wood Memorial (gr. I) before coming up on the wrong end of a win photo in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III). He did best eventual Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver by a half-length in that Tampa race.
Schoolyard Dreams, who scored an optional claimer in January at Tampa for his lone win this season, will be ridden by Eibar Coa.
Carrying top weight of 123 pounds will be Cash is King Stable’s Afleet Again, 24-1 upset winner of the Withers (gr. III) back in April at Aqueduct. The Afleet Alex colt enters off a third-place effort in the May 23 Spend a Buck Stakes at Monmouth. Joe Bravo will ride for trainer Bob Reid Jr.
The 1 1/16-mile Pegasus serves as a prep for the Izod Haskell Invitational (gr. I), to be run Aug. 1. It will go as race 10 on a 12-race program.
$200,000 Pegasus Stakes (Race 10, 5:23 p.m. EST p.m.), 3YO, 1 1/16 Miles (Dirt)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Nacho Friend (KY), E Trujillo, 117, K J Breen
2. Schoolyard Dreams (KY), E Coa, 117, D S Ryan
3. Jackson Bend (FL), J Lezcano, 121, N P Zito
4. Soaring Empire (KY), E Castro, 117, C M Gambolati
5. Afleet Again (KY), J Bravo, 123, R E Reid Jr.
6. Afleet Express (KY), J Castellano, 117, J A Jerkens