With a view to the future, it’s possible that the most significant race
of the final weekend of springtime in the U.S. was the Pegasus Stakes
(gr. III) June 19 at Monmouth. This is the time to look for potential
“second season” stars, and with a decisive 1¾-lengths win here Afleet Express
placed himself firmly among their number, the Haskell Invitational (gr.
I) now being an obvious target. The Pegasus was the first try in stakes
company for Afleet Express, who had broken his maiden at Aqueduct in
December in his only 2-year-old start. After a second and a fifth in
Gulfstream Park allowance races, the 3-year-old delivered a breakout
performance May 22 in a seven-furlong allowance at Belmont Park,
scoring by 7¾ lengths.
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