Monmouth Park Set to Host Pegasus Stakes and Other Graded Stakes Races This Saturday
(June 28, 2024 – Oceanport, NJ) The stakes are high this Saturday at Monmouth Park, as the racetrack plays host to a slew of graded stakes races, including the $150,000 Pegasus Stakes – the final local prep for the upcoming $1 Million Haskell Stakes (G1) on July 20.
Headlining the Pegasus Stakes field are several talented 3-year-olds, including Grade 3 winners Hades, Uncle Heavy, and Domestic Product, along with the promising Jersey-bred Sea Streak. The top two finishers in the 43rd edition of the Pegasus will earn free entry and start fees to the prestigious Haskell Stakes.
Hades, trained by veteran conditioner Joe Orseno, won the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park earlier this year before faltering in the Florida Derby (G1) and Lexington Stakes (G3). Uncle Heavy, trained by Robert E. Reid Jr., captured the Withers (G3) but has struggled of late, finishing fifth in the Wood Memorial (G2) and eighth in the Preakness Stakes (G1).
The Chad Brown-trained Domestic Product took the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) before a disappointing 13th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby in his most recent outing. Meanwhile, Sea Streak has already punched his ticket to the Haskell with a dominant 7 1/4-length win in the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth Park on May 11.
In addition to the Pegasus Stakes, Monmouth Park will also host a trio of other graded stakes on Saturday’s 12-race card, each worth $150,000:
- The Eatontown Stakes (G3), a 1 1/16-mile turf event for fillies and mares 3 and up, with the winner earning free entry and start fees to the Matchmaker Stakes (G3) on Haskell day.
- The Monmouth Stakes (G3), a 1 1/8-mile grass affair for 3-year-olds and up, offering free entry and start fees to the United Nations Stakes (G2) for the top two finishers.
- The Salvator Mile (G3), a one-mile dirt race for 3-year-olds and older, with the winner receiving free entry and start fees to the Monmouth Cup (G3) on Haskell day.
“With a full slate of graded stakes action and the prestigious Haskell Stakes just around the corner, this Saturday’s racing at Monmouth Park is sure to captivate horse racing fans and bettors alike,” said the track’s spokesperson.
The first race on the card is set for 12:15 pm ET.
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