Mr. Jordan Heads Competitive Pegasus

‘TDN Rising Star’ Mr. Jordan (Kantharos) headlines a field of eight in Sunday’s GIII Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park as he makes his first start since being disqualified from first to second in Gulfstream’s Tarpon S. Apr. 25. A head-turning debut winner for Eddie Plesa sprinting here last September, the grey added a pair of stakes victories at Gulfstream Park West before heading to the sidelines with a ligament injury. He returned to finish a distant second to Grade I-winning fellow ‘Rising Star’ Competitive Edge (Super Saver)–a next-out winner of the GIII Pat Day Mile–in Hallandale’s Tamarac S. over seven panels Mar. 27, and removes the hood he donned for the first time in the one-mile Tarpon. Leading rider Paco Lopez climbs aboard, having ridden Mr. Jordan in the first two starts of his career. Among the other major contenders set to line up is Alto Racing’s $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic juvenile Chipit (Tapit), who could help trainer Todd Pletcher tie for most wins all-time in this event with four. The dark bay overcame a slow start to don cap and gown over 5 1/2 panels Mar. 7, and added an optional claimer of seven furlongs back at that venue Apr. 9. The Pletcher team also saddles Repole Stable’s Dontbetwithbruno (Tiz Wonderful), who romped in a Parx allowance Apr. 13 and finished third in the Parx Derby last time May 2. The Jose Corrales-owned and trainer Bodhisattva (Student Council) will stay on the East Coast rather than ship to Thistledown for the Ohio Derby. He broke through with a stakes success in Pimlico’s Federico Tesio S. Apr. 18, but was eased in the sloppy 
GI Preakness S. last time May 16.