Keeneland Select Derby Prep Hotlist - August 15

Keeneland Select Derby Prep Hotlist

Saturday, August 15, 2020

By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

The $150,000 Pegasus Stakes, Monmouth Park – 1 1/8 mi.

10th race - 5:12 pm ET – With the move of the Kentucky Derby to the first Saturday in September, the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park became an official prep race for the Run for the Roses carrying [20-8-4-2] points to the top four finishers. The Pegasus switched to the Jersey Shore track when the original Meadowlands Racetrack closed.

(5) Pneumatic brings class and consistency to the Pegasus. The son of Uncle Mo was most recently fourth in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and third in the Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs after he won the first two starts of his career. In those two races, he finished behind the horses who are likely to be the top betting choices in the Kentucky Derby. The Steve Asmussen runner finds a much softer field here. (7) As Seen on Tv returns after a few months rest following a rigorous winter campaign at Gulfstream Park where he ran in the top three in two Derby preps. He broke his maiden at Monmouth Park last summer at first asking for Kelly Breen who is currently the leading trainer. (6) Arkaan will step up to stakes company after winning his first two races for trainer Michael Pino. This Shadwell Stable runner was a $450,000 yearling purchase who won those two sprints by a combined 10 lengths. (8) Jesus’ Team was last seen running fourth in the Haskell. He stayed in New Jersey to train after that race and now gets leading rider Paco Lopez in the saddle.  Betting strategy:  Exacta key box: 5 with 6, 7, 8. Trifecta box: 5, 6, 7, 8.