Let the summer season begin. For horseplayers who weathered through the Triple Crown storm over five weeks at three racetracks with a nice bankroll, let’s make some wagers at the Jersey Shore.
And here’s to a lucky Saturday (June 14) -- the day after Friday the 13th -- at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey, for the track’s Haskell Preview Day featuring the $150,000 Pegasus Stakes for 3-year-olds.
While the more than two dozen 3-year-olds from the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness Stakes (G1), and Belmont Stakes (G1) are gearing up for bigger races next month, eight sophomores will go 1 1/16 miles with the top two finishers earning free berth in the $1 million Haskell Stakes (G1) on July 19, the track’s signature race of the year.
Valentinian, a $1.25 million son of Into Mischief, is the 4-1 second choice on the morning line for trainer Todd Pletcher. He won in his debut, but ran third and fourth, respectively, in his last two starts, most recently in an allowance race on Derby Day at Churchill Downs. John Velazquez has the mount leaving from post 4.
Chad Brown also has a colt in the mix with 8-5 favorite Garamond, third in the Gotham Stakes (G3) and a winner last out in a three-horse allowance race at Aqueduct on April 27. Flavien Prat has the call.
Kentucky Outlaw (5-1) has won three of four and took the 1-mile, 70-yard Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth on May 10, giving owner-trainer Felissa Dunn her first stakes victory. Kendrick Carmouche will be aboard.
Barbadian Runner (6-1), who won the off-the-turf Jersey Derby at Monmouth on May 31, looks for a fourth stakes win this year. He previously won the Miracle Wood and the Spectacular Bid at Laurel over the winter.
Look for Garamond, Kentucky Outlaw, and Barbadian Runner to be on or near the lead, with Valentinian trying to run them down in the stretch.
Post time is 3:53 p.m. ET.
For those who bet on horse racing ...
The 12-race Haskell program features four other stakes races, including a pair of Grade 3s.
The $150,000 Eatontown Stakes (G3) on the turf drew a field of seven -- Maggie Go (8-5 favorite), Five Towns, Ozara, Lady Firefoot, Delightful Ava, Damaso, and Whiskey Decision. The winner receives a free berth to the Matchmaker Stakes (G3) on the Haskell undercard.
The $150,000 Salvator Mile (G3) drew a field of nine 3-year-olds and up -- Antigravity, Trademark, Tuscan Sky, Offaly Cool, Surface to Air, Vitality, Nelson Avenue, Awesome Ruta, and 6-5 favorite Bishops Bay. The winner receives a free berth to the Monmouth Cup (G3) on the Haskell undercard.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
