By B. Jason Brooks
Sixth-generation Phipps-bred stakes winner and graded stakes-placed Pentathlon will stretch out to 1 ¹⁄₁₆ mile on Sunday, October 4, when he takes on six rivals in a competitive $110,000 allowance optional claimer for ages three years and older at Belmont Park. Post time is 2:41 p.m. Eastern.
The 5-year-old son of Speightstown drew the rail in Race 5 and will have Paco Lopez aboard for Hall of Fame trainer Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey. He is owned in a partnership that includes Phipps Stable, St. Elias Stable, and Woodford Racing.
Sunday’s race will be Pentathlon’s second start off of a 67-day layoff. He most recently finished fourth in an allowance optional claimer at Saratoga on September 2.
His success this year includes a half-length win in Gulfstream Park’s seven-furlong Army Mule Stakes on March 28 and graded stakes placing in Aqueduct’s one-mile Westchester Stakes (G3) on May 3. In the Westchester, he finishing third behind Centennial Farms’ Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1)-winning millionaire Antiquarian (Preservationist) and KAS Stables’ multiple graded stakes-winning multimillionaire Bishop’s Bay (Uncle Mo).
(Video: Pentathlon’s Army Mule Stakes Win)
Pentathlon faces a competitive field on Sunday that includes classic-placed and grade 1-winning millionaire Sandman (Tapit), graded stakes winner Tip Top Thomas (Volatile), and stakes winners Adero (American Freedom), Admiral Dennis (Constitution) and Yo Daddy (Yoshida {JPN}).
He hails from the accomplished female family of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner My Flag, his third dam, and undefeated Hall of Famer Personal Ensign, his fourth dam.
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.
