Pegasus last stop for Kentucky Derby hopefuls

Aug 12, 2020 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Saturday’s $150,000 Pegasus Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park represents the final qualifying race in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, awarding points on a 20-8-4-2 scale to the top four finishers, and eight 3-year-olds are set for the 1 1/16-mile race scheduled for 5:12 p.m. EDT.

Pneumatic, who exits a fourth to Tiz the Law in the June 20 Belmont Stakes (G1), is the top draw. Third when making his stakes debut in the Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs two starts back, the Steve Asmussen-trained colt opened his racing career with a pair of wins over maiden special weight and entry-level allowance rivals at Oaklawn Park earlier this year. Joe Bravo picks up the mount on the son of Uncle Mo.

Jesus’ Team will attract support following his fourth in his stakes debut, the July 18 Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park. The top three from that race – Authentic, Ny Traffic, and Dr Post – are headed to the Kentucky Derby, and Jesus’ Team has really improved since being switched to trainer Jose D’Angelo three starts ago. Paco Lopez rides.

Stakes winner As Seen On Tv , third in the Fountain of Youth (G2) two back, will try to rebound off the freshening after posting a disappointing eighth in the Florida Derby (G1) in late March. The Kelly Breen trainee could be forwardly placed with Hector Diaz Jr. Arkaan will make his first stakes attempt following a pair of convincing wins at Parx and Delaware Park. The gray son of Into Mischief will stretch to two turns for Michael Pino, and Jose Ferrer guides the front-running colt.

Other contestants include Monmouth juvenile stakes winner Big City Bob and Laurel Park allowance scorer Super John.