Pentathlon Returning to Stakes Company for the Army Mule

By B. Jason Brooks

Phipps Stable’s co-owned 5-year-old horse Pentathlon returns to stakes company on Saturday, March 28, in Gulfstream Park’s $175,000 Army Mule Stakes going seven furlongs on the dirt.

Pentathlon drew post 2 in a field of 10 and will have jockey Dylan Davis aboard for Hall of Fame trainer Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey.

The Speightstown horse enters the Army Mule off of an impressive 5-length allowance optional claiming victory on February 15 at Tampa Bay Downs. Making his 5-year-old debut, he settled off of the pace before taking command around the far turn, swinging five wide into the stretch and drawing away.

The victory followed Pentathlon’s fifth-place finish in his stakes debut, the Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) on December 6 at Aqueduct.

Pentathlon faces off in the Army Mule against an accomplished field that includes Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) alumnus Owen Almighty (Speightstown), Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) winner Macho Music (Maclean’s Music), and multiple graded stakes-placed Scotland (Good Magic), among others.

A sixth-generation Phipps-bred, Pentathlon is owned by Phipps Stable in partnership with St. Elias Stable and Woodford Racing. He is the second foal out of Tapit mare Parade who finished runner-up in the 2017 Comely Stakes (G3) with Dylan Davis aboard.

Pentathlon descends from one of the most distinguished Phipps female families. His second dam is graded stakes-placed On Parade (Storm Cat), followed by multiple grade 1 winner My Flag (Easy Goer), and undefeated Hall of Famer Personal Ensign. The family traces back to Argentine-bred foundation mare Dorine, acquired by Ogden Phipps in 1970.

B. Jason Brooks is a Thoroughbred racing and pedigree researcher, writer, and social media manager residing in Saratoga Springs, New York. He can be followed on X at @bjbrooksNY.