Route Experiment Over for Flashpoint

After trying the nation’s top 3-year-olds in the Preakness Stakes last out, Peachtree Stable’s Flashpoint will go back to one turn when he breaks from post five in the Grade 3 $150,000 Jersey Shore Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

“We tried to stretch him out,” said trainer Wesley Ward.  “You never know until you try, so we gave it a shot.  It looks like sprinting is his game, though.”

A colt by Pomeroy from the Two Punch mare Two Punch Lil, Flashpoint broke his maiden at first asking on Jan. 15 at Aqueduct before crushing his rivals in the Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream, winning by more than seven lengths.  He was then fourth in the Florida Derby (G1) before a barn switch to Ward and a start in the Preakness where he set a pressured pace and then faded to last of the 14 Classic runners.

“He’s a versatile horse,” Ward said.  “He’s smart.  I don’t think he needs the lead.  We’ll see what happens when the gates open.”

Flashpoint, who’s been training bullets at Aqueduct, arrived at Monmouth two days ago and schooled in the paddock on Saturday afternoon.  Cornelio Velasquez, who has been aboard in the colt’s four starts, has the return call in the six furlong Jersey Shore.  He’s been installed as the 5-2 favorite on the Brad Thomas morning line.

The Jersey Shore is race nine on Sunday’s 12 race card.