Talk Logistics auditions for Haskell in Long Branch Stakes

Talk Logistics, who has faced well-regarded competition throughout his career, is a logical choice in a field of 3-year-olds looking to move forward in the $100,000 Long Branch Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth Park.

Talk Logistics is the only stakes-placed member of the six-horse field, meaning others stand to pick up black type – and perhaps vault themselves into major races this summer. Traditionally, the top finishers in the Long Branch receive invitations to the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational, Monmouth’s signature race, set for July 30. Lion Heart is the only horse to complete the Long Branch-Haskell double, winning both races in 2004.

Talk Logistics, trained by Eddie Plesa Jr., comes into the Long Branch off a runner-up effort behind the unbeaten Timeline in the Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth, a race that covers the same 1 1/16-mile distance as the Long Branch. It was the first graded-stakes placing for the colt, who also placed in stakes at Gulfstream over the winter. He finished second in the Buffalo Man Stakes to Sonic Mule, with Recruiting Ready third, then was third in the Mucho Macho Man behind Sonic Mule and State of Honor.

Talk Logistics was a creditable fourth in both the Grade 2 Holy Bull and Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes, won by Irish War Cry and Gunnevera, before finishing sixth in the Florida Derby, won by eventual Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming. After a six-week freshening, Talk Logistics returned to action at Monmouth, running second in an optional claimer in the slop before his solid effort in the Pegasus.

Orlando Bocachica has the mount on Talk Logistics, who drew the outside post in the short field.

Command Post is stepping up to stakes company for the first time, having won two of his first three starts, with both wins coming at a mile or longer. The Jason Servis trainee enters off an allowance victory at Monmouth. Both of the colt’s wins have come in front-running fashion, and he is ideally drawn for a similar trip in post 2 under Antonio Gallardo.

Also likely to be forwardly placed is Lenstar, who has just one win in eight career starts, and that going six furlongs, for Nick Zito. However, the gelding has met solid company, having placed in the maiden races won by Malagacy and Petrov.

Phat Man enters off an allowance win at Belmont for the team of Brad Grady and Joe Sharp, who have a player in the 3-year-old division with Girvin. Completing the field is Jamminwithbrandon, whose only victory came via disqualification in a maiden race; he finished fourth in the Easy Goer Stakes at Belmont last time out.