Monmouth: Tuscan Sky romps in Pegasus, key prep for Haskell

Tuscan Sky made amends for a poor effort in the Wood Memorial with a comfortable 6 3/4-length victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park, the key local prep for the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes on July 20.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, rode the rail throughout the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds under Javier Castellano, saving ground inside a five-horse battle for the lead rounding the first turn and up the backstretch.

Tuscan Sky wrested the lead away from Willy D’s and his close pursuers approaching the far turn and then turned on the jets entering the stretch, romping clear and coasting to a convincing victory in 1:43.31.

Castellano wrapped up on the son of Vino Rosso in midstretch and coasted to the wire before stopping the clock in 1:43.31. Domestic Product, also trained by Pletcher, held well to finish second, while Hades, winner of the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park in February, rallied for third.

The winner returned $6.80 on a $2 win ticket.

The win was the third from four starts for Tuscan Sky, his only setback coming in the Wood Memorial on April 6 when checking in seventh behind winner Resilience.

This article will be updated.