Mr. Jordan must overcome layoff in Salvator Mile
Mr. Jordan hasn’t raced since February, but he’s the horse to beat in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Salvator Mile on the main track at Monmouth Park.
Trained by Eddie Plesa Jr., Mr. Jordan has won two of three career starts over the Monmouth Park main track, with his only loss coming in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational last year. He won a maiden race at Monmouth in his first start and the Grade 3 Pegasus there last year. Paco Lopez, aboard for the Pegasus score, has the mount again Saturday.
The main competition for Mr. Jordan figures to come from Comfort, who comes off a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 98 in an optional claimer at Belmont Park. He was fourth in the Grade 3 Lexington at Keeneland last year in his only graded stakes try, but if he runs back to his last race, he’s a horse to be reckoned with.
Joe Bravo is listed to ride Comfort for trainer Todd Pletcher, who has won with 14 of 40 starters (35 percent) at Monmouth Park this year. Bravo is also listed as the rider for Allied Air Raid.
The Salvator Mile drew only six 3-year-olds and up, but there is no shortage of speed in the field. Nonna’s Boy and Green Gratto are likely to set honest fractions, and Res Judicata is not without some early zip. That certainly should help the late-running Comfort, and Mr. Jordan and Allied Air Raid also could settle into favorable trips.
Allied Air Raid comes off an optional-claiming score at Churchill Downs. He sat behind the leaders in the one-mile race before making his bid in the lane, and he’s likely to come from off the pace again in the Salvator Mile. Brad Cox trains Allied Air Raid, who will be making his first start at Monmouth Park.
First post for Saturday’s 12-race card is 12:50 p.m. Eastern, and the Salvator Mile is race 11.
key CONTENDERS
Mr. Jordan, by Kantharos
Last 3 Beyers: 83-105-78
◗ Mr. Jordan has run well off a layoff, having won the Pegasus off a two-month break and finished third in the Harlan’s Holiday at Gulfstream after 4 1/2 months off.
Comfort, by Indian Charlie
Last 3 Beyers: 98-80-90
◗ Eyes his third straight win and his first stakes win.