Unified gets two-turn test in Pegasus Stakes
Unified has begun his career in inspiring fashion, ripping off three straight victories in Florida and New York while progressing from six furlongs, to seven furlongs, to 1 1/8 miles. But with Saratoga and a slew of major stakes on the horizon, this is a pivotal point in the 3-year-old season.
Unified didn’t make his career debut until February and has been eager to race on or near the pace in his races. Is he ready to target longer, two-turn races such as the Jim Dandy, Haskell Invitational, and Travers? Or, at this point, do shorter, one-turn races such as the Amsterdam and King’s Bishop make more sense?
Trainer Jimmy Jerkens is still evaluating Unified and on Sunday will test him around two turns in the Grade 3 Pegasus, a 1 1/16-mile stakes at Monmouth Park. It would be a positive sign if Unified relaxed early.
“I can’t really tell what his best distance will turn out to be,” Jerkens said. “That’s why we want to do this race at Monmouth, to see which way he wants to go. Whether he can go on or if he’s more of a middle-distance horse.”
Unified’s appearance in the Pegasus is important enough that Jose Ortiz, the leading rider in New York, will give up a day at Belmont Park to ride. Ortiz is named on four other horses at Monmouth.
A $325,000 purchase at the 2014 Saratoga select yearling sale, Unified is owned by a Centennial Farms partnership. He won his debut at Gulfstream Park and then shipped north to win the Grade 3 Bay Shore at Aqueduct in April. He won both of those races on the lead.
In the nine-furlong Peter Pan, Unified raced about a length off the pace, took the lead three furlongs from home, and drew clear, then held off the late run of Governor Malibu to win by three-quarters of a length. Governor Malibu came back to finish fourth in the Belmont Stakes despite encountering traffic in the stretch.
Unified will be a heavy favorite over six rivals in the $150,000 Pegasus.
“He’ll have to settle, but I think he can do it,” Jerkens said. “He wasn’t a run-off in the Peter Pan.”
The Pegasus is the local prep for Monmouth’s signature race, the Haskell, but even if Unified succeeds Sunday, there is no guarantee he will be back.
“After the Pegasus, we’ll decide his next race,” Jerkens said. “I’d rather run him at home in New York. I like to support New York racing.”
Unified will face several quick runners in the Pegasus. Abiding Star won five straight races on the lead for trainer Ned Allard before finishing last of 11 in the Preakness. Awesome Slew will be stretching out from a six-furlong sprint win in his 3-year-old debut for Eddie Plesa Jr. And Saratoga Jack is coming off a 10 3/4-length optional win at Parx for Miguel Vera.
Pegasus Stakes, Race 10
Key Contenders
Unified, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 99-102-99
◗ Jerkens entered him last August at Saratoga, but he was declared from the race.
“We had to scratch him day of when an ankle flared up,” Jerkens said.
Abiding Star, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 49-93-85
◗ He was bumped several strides from the gate in the Preakness and never got close to the lead.
Donegal Moon, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 86-79-99
◗ In the restricted Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard, Javier Castellano sent him from the gate and put him into the race early. He then grudgingly gave ground in the stretch to be beaten 2 3/4 lengths. Todd Pletcher has given the mount Sunday to Joe Bravo.
◗ If Unified gets tangled up in a pace battle, he should be sitting in a good position several lengths back.
Awesome Slew, by Awesome Again
Last 3 Beyers: 83-72-70
◗ Looked good winning his first start at 3 on May 21, but the stretch-out from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles is not an easy task.
Saratoga Jack, by Emperor Tiberius
Last 3 Beyers: 100-88-76
◗ Opened a large early lead and was never challenged while stretching out from six furlongs to a mile in a first-level race at Parx. Takes a big class jump here.
◗ In five career starts, his Beyer Speed Figures have increased every time, going from a 61 to 100.