One of the most interesting races taking place this weekend is the G3 Pegasus Stakes. The race will be run at Monmouth Park over a distance of 1 1/16 miles, and horses that are aged three are able to enter.
One of the biggest names that will be involved in the race this weekend is Mandaloun, who could yet be upgraded to the winner of the Kentucky Derby this year.
Mandaloun Heads Field
Mandaloun is certainly the eye-catching entry in the Pegasus Stakes this weekend, as the three-year-old looks to continue his strong form. The Brad Cox-trained horse was a very impressive second in the opening Triple Crown race of the season, as he finished in second behind Medina Spirit. He could yet be upgraded to the winner, depending on the stance that is taken by Churchill Downs.
Following the suspension of Bob Baffert's entries to the track, it is looking increasingly likely that we will be seeing the rightful Kentucky Derby winner here over the weekend. There have been flashes of brilliance throughout this season from the three-year-old, as he was a very impressive winner of the G2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds.
On that occasion, he finished a length and a quarter ahead of Proxy. However, he couldn't back that up with another impressive Graded victory, as he was beaten in the G2 Louisiana Derby by Hot Rod Charlie. However, he certainly looked to relish the longer trip at Churchill Downs and is the outstanding contender in the Pegasus Stakes this weekend.
Weyburn, Hidden Stash Among Leading Rivals
It could be a very interesting renewal of the Pegasus Stakes this weekend, as Weyburn is also a likely entry for trainer James Jerkens. The three-year-old eventually decided to bypass all three of the Triple Crown races, and it will be fascinating to see the route that connections go in with this horse. He has been stepped up in trip throughout his career to this point, as he has won over both a mile and seven furlongs.
His success over seven furlongs came in a special weight contest at Aqueduct before he won the G3 Gotham Stakes over a mile at the same track. That victory is excellent form coming into this contest, as he outlasted both Crowded Trade and Highly Motivated. The form was reversed slightly in the G2 Wood Memorial, though, as Weyburn finished fourth, behind Bourbonic, while Crowded Trade finished strongly in third.
There will be two further entries in the ace that competed in the Kentucky Derby. Hidden Stash could come into the Pegasus with the stronger form on paper, as he finished fourth in the G2 Blue Grass Stakes and second in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby. He was also a respectable third in the G3 Sam F. Davis. Both of his place finishes in graded company have come over the 1 1/16 mile distance, while he has also won two allowance races over the same trip. He certainly comes into this with a live chance.
Brooklyn Strong is the other Kentucky Derby runner that will be lining up in the Pegasus this weekend. He finished 15th in the opening Triple Crown race but was the winner of the G2 Remsen last year. His two-year-old form was very impressive, with three wins from four. That form hasn't exactly transferred over to this season, as he was also fifth in the G2 Wood Memorial.
Lugamo could also have claims this weekend, but he will need to improve after finishing 12th in the G2 UAE Derby. Dr Jack and Harvard are also likely entries for the Pegasus Stakes this weekend.
