Harlan's Holiday, coming off a win I the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) and heading to the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), should be an overwhelming choice Friday night in the Pegasus Handicap (gr. II) at the Meadowlands.
The Harlan colt scampered home 4 1/2 lengths in front Sept. 2 in the Penn Derby, run at the same nine-furlong distance as the Pegasus. John Velazquez will have the mount on Harlan's Holiday, who is owned by Starlight Stable and trained by Todd Pletcher.
The Pennsylvania Derby was Harlan's Holiday's first start in four months, since finishing fourth in the Preakness (gr. I). Prior to that he ran seventh in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) after winning the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I).
Harlan's Holiday will carry highweight of 122 pounds in the $350,000 race, giving up to seven pounds to his six rivals.
The field, in post position order:
Trump Marina, 117, Eibar Coa
This Guns for Hire, 115, Richard Migliore
Excited, 115, Carlos Cruz
No Parole, 117, Shaun Bridgmohan
Regal Sanction, 115, Jose Santos
Smoked Em , 117, Jorge Chavez
Harlan's Holiday, 122, John Velazquez
