Afeet Express Wins Pegasus

Gainesway Farm and Martin L. Cherry’s Afleet Express sat off the early pace of Schoolyard Dreams and Jackson Bend before moving past the pacesetters just before the quarter-pole and then digging in all the way to the wire to post a length and three-quarters win in the $200,000 Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Sent off the 2-1 second choice in the field of six 3-year-old colts, Afleet Express stepped the mile and a sixteenth in 1:45 2/5 and returned $6, $4 and $4.20.

“I didn’t want to commit to the lead. I hoped we could get a target,” said winning trainer James Jerkens. “It was his first start around two turns and with the outside break, we were hoping someone else would show some initiative.”

As for moving on to Monmouth’s signature event, the Grade 1, $1 million IZOD Haskell Invitational on Aug. 1, “We have to hugely consider the Haskell,” Jerkens said. “He handled everything well today.”

“When I saw two horses going head-to-head for the lead, I decided to take him back a little and cover up around the first turn,” said winning rider Javier Castellano. “He relaxed very well and when I called on him for run he gave it to me.”

Afleet Again and Soaring Empire rallied together down the center of the track, but could not catch the winner. Afleet Again completed the $34.60 exacta and paid $5.20 and $4. It was a length and a quarter farther back to Soaring Empire, who returned $4.40 to show.

Nacho Friend was fourth with 4-5 favorite Jackson Bend checking in fifth and Schoolyard Dreams last of the six. Jackson Bend and Schoolyard Dreams were making their first starts since finishing third and ninth, respectively, in the Preakness.

“He did everything so easily until the three-eighths pole and then didn’t have anything left in the lane,” said Jose Lezcano, who was riding Jackson Bend for the first time.

Pegasus winner Afleet Express and runner-up Afleet Again were both sired by Afleet Alex, winner of the 2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

Saturday’s victory was the third in five starts for Afleet Express and his first start against stakes company. He has now earned $185,140 for his connections.

The Pegasus, a mainstay at the Meadowlands for decades, was being run for the second time at Monmouth Park. It was contested in Oceanport in 2007 when it was part of the Breeders’ Cup undercard.