Pants On Fire Wins His Haskell Prep

Pants On Fire scored an easy victory in the Grade III Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth.  In his first start since a ninth place finish in the Kentucky Derby, Pants On Fire defeated Morris Bailey’s Concealed Identity.  Of course Morris Bailey is the soon to be owner of Monmouth Park.

The Pegasus Stakes gave Jockey Rosie Napravnik to a victorious return to her native state of New Jersey.   Napravnik talked about the race and how Pants On Fire is so important to her, “He was the best horse in the race.  I think around the far turn, the horses in front started to get a little tired, so I just went for the lead.  This horse is very special to me.  He brought me to the Kentucky Derby, which hopefully won’t be a once in a lifetime experience.  He’s just a very special horse.”

For New Jersey Shore resident George Hall the next race for Pants on Fire (currently 9th in the HRN Top 3YO Rankings Top 3YO Rankings) will be part of their barn’s major goal. “It’s something we obviously have to discuss with Kelly (trainer Kelly Breen).  He’ll have views on 

that. We’re big supporters of Monmouth and we want to win the Haskell, so we’re going to do whatever we can.  It could be Pants On Fire (or) Ruler On Ice. Maybe both of them. We’ll see how the horses are feeling. They’ll tell us when they want to run.”

Trainer Kelly Breen was pleased with the race. “There was enough speed in there and we sat just off it.  He looked comfortable throughout.  He was on a loose rein, so I wasn’t sure how much horse she (jockey Napravnik) had, but when she moved to the lead he looked strong.  The Haskell is a definite possibility.”

ABC’s of the Monmouth Hall of Champions -Today Holy Bull – Holy Bull was owned and trained by Monmouth Park based Warren “Jimmy” Croll.  Holy Bull broke his maiden at Monmouth in 1993 and also won the 1994 Haskell. Winning 13 of 16 starts he accumulated $2,481,760 in earnings. He ended 1994 with Horse of the Year honors. Holy Bull joined the Racing Hall of Fame in 2001.  Holy Bull ranks 40 in the Horse Racing Nation 250 Top Horses of All Time with an 8.85/10 rating.