Pace could set table for Watershed in Iselin

The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Watershed is a stone closer in need of pace, but he should get it as he seeks his first stakes victory in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park.

The Iselin, the 11th of 12 races on the card, drew a field of six, but there seems to be no shortage of early speed as Baccelo, Mr. Jordan, and Transparent all figure to be involved from the start. Plotting the race flow is a bit tricky as all three of those runners also can come from just off the pace if need be, but Baccelo drew post 2 and figures to use that to his advantage. Both Transparent and Mr. Jordan prompted the pace in their only victories dating back to last year.

Mr. Jordan “will probably be on the pace or close to it,” said his trainer, Eddie Plesa Jr.

Paco Lopez, who rode Mr. Jordan in his last two starts and in his most recent win – the 2015 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth – is back aboard the son of Kantharos in the Iselin.

A quick, contested pace certainly would work to the advantage of Watershed, who will be ridden by Antonio Gallardo for the first time. A son of Bernardini, Watershed comes off a one-length optional-claiming win in which he ran down the speeds in the very late stages. The 99 Beyer Speed Figure earned for that effort makes Watershed the one to beat in the Iselin. A repeat of that figure may well be good enough to get him his first stakes win.

Baccelo comes off two straight wins against optional claimers. While the water gets deeper Saturday, his recent Beyers give him a solid chance.

Formerly a horse who was pointed to turf races, Baccello has peaked while racing exclusively on dirt since April, putting up figures in the 90s in his last four starts. The last two starts were for trainer David Jacobson, who claimed the 6-year-old gelding June 10 at Santa Anita.

Baccelo’s improvement also coincides with a change in strategy. Formerly a one-run closer, the son of Northern Afleet has been close to the pace in recent starts. Jockey Nik Juarez surely will have him in the early mix in the Iselin.

Scheduled post time for the 1 1/8-mile Iselin is 6:04 p.m. Eastern. Post time for the first race is 12:50 p.m.