Starting for the first time since November, Bright future underlined his class late with a rail-clearing victory in the $155,000 Salvator Mile Stakes (G3) on June 15 at Monmouth Park.
Salvator gave trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Javier Castellano two winning bets on the card, as Tuscan sky had captured the Pegasus Stakes two races earlier.
Favored with an even sum when the gates opened, Bright Future began his rail stalking trip under Castellano as Oscar eclipse And Coastal mission was competed through opening fractions of :24.05 and :48.16. Never far back in a tight field, Bright Future, clinging to the fence, suddenly began to back away as the field turned for home. Unfazed by his son curled up After reluctantly going with the leaders, Castellano let the chestnut regain his pace and called him out halfway.
Bright Futures responded with a strong move from within, overcoming the embattled Coastal Mission and Movisitor late with a score of 1 3/4 lengths.
Coastal Mission was completed first Movisitor in third place.
Campaigned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables, Bright Future ($4.20) covered the distance in a final time of 1:36.96 on the fast main track.
“I was looking for a good spot and it worked out perfectly,” Castellano said. “He shot really well out of the gate to get into a good position going into the first turn but it was a really tight ride. Inside the rail I didn’t have much of a choice on where to go. But guys spread out and we saw the light.” He responded very well.”
Bright Future had a career-best campaign as a four-year-old, helping him to Grade 1 glory in the 2023 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. He then finished sixth, beaten by less than four lengths, in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park in the final effort of the year.
Videotapes: Salvator Mile S. (G3)
The Tuscan sky soars in the Pegasus Stakes
Tuscan sky proved the best of late in the Pegasus Stakes for 3-year-olds and punched his ticket to the $1 million Haskell Stakes (G1) on July 20.
Tuscan Sky won the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park
The $150,000 Pegasus, a local preparation for Haskell, was the first stakes win for the Spend Farm-owned colt.
Considered a potential Kentucky Derby (G1) contender after winning his first two starts for Pletcher, Tuscan Sky finished a disappointing seventh in the day’s Wood Memorial Stakes (G2). April 6 after standing firmly at the top of the lane. Pletcher regrouped with his son Vino Rosso and equipped him with blinkers meant for Pegasus, which seemed to work.
Breaking from the inside, Castellano and Tuscan Sky quickly fell into a five-horse battle for the lead. Admit a slight advantage Willy D’s The 2-1 shot Tuscan Sky zipped across the rails with a quick initial pace of :23.35, :46.94 and 1:11.38 before passing his rival with a quarter-mile to run.
Kentucky Derby starter and Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner Domestic products shipped from New York, gave chase but settled for second place 6 3/4 lengths behind the winner. Hell coached by Joe Orseno, completed the trifecta.
Tuscan Sky ($6.80) runs the 1/16 mile in 1:43.31 on a fast main track.
Videotapes: NYRA bets Pegasus S. (BT)
