Pennine Ridge distance should pose no problem for Highland Sky

ELMONT, N.Y. – For as well as Highland Sky has already run in his career, his pedigree – and his connections – say he should get better with more distance.

Highland Sky will get his first chance to run 1 1/8 miles when he heads a 10-horse field entered for Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Pennine Ridge Stakes at Belmont Park. The Pennine Ridge is the local prep for the $1.25 million Belmont Derby at 1 1/4 miles on July 9.

“I believe he’s going to be better going longer,” Robin Smullen, assistant to trainer Barclay Tagg, said Monday. “He has no issues breathing-wise. He couldn’t blow out a match the other day coming off the turf course after the work.”

Last Saturday, Highland Sky worked five furlongs in 1:00.01, the fastest of 20 breezes at that distance over the Belmont inner turf course.

“We wanted to do a little something with him because he had been working relatively easy,” Smullen said. “He’s such a nice horse. He just does whatever you want.”

Highland Sky is a son of Sky Mesa out of the Petionville mare Kristi With a K. Further back in Highland Sky’s family are Grade 1 marathon turf winners Royal Mountain Inn and Miss Josh.

Highland Sky has run only as far as 1 1/16 miles. He won his career debut at Saratoga at that distance. Most recently, he won the Woodhaven Stakes by a neck April 23 at Aqueduct at that distance.

Highland Sky usually comes from well off the pace, but he is not necessarily reliant on a strong early pace, as evidenced by his performance in the Woodhaven.

“He breaks with them, but then he doesn’t leave there running – they outfoot him – then he gets himself together and goes on with it,” Smullen said. “He’s got such a long stride. That might have something to do with why he doesn’t really leave there running.”

Highland Sky will take on nine rivals, including three from the stable of Chad Brown – Camelot Kitten, Call Provision, and Converge – and two from Todd Pletcher – Azar and Kismet’s Heels. Dressed in Hermes, Hammers Vision, Noble Quality, and Toughest ‘Ombre complete the field.