by B. Jason Brooks
Stakes winner Pentathlon will seek his first graded stakes victory in Belmont Park’s one-mile Forty Niner Stakes (G3) for ages three and older on Sunday, November 1. He will break from post 6 in a field of eight, with Paco Lopez retaining the mount for Hall of Fame trainer Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey. Scheduled as Race 9, post time is set for 3:22 p.m. Eastern.
The sixth-generation Phipps-bred enters off a three-length victory in a 1 ¹⁄₁₆-mile allowance optional claimer at Belmont Park on October 4. He drew clear of a field that included five stakes winners, earning a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure.
Four of Pentathlon’s last seven starts have come in stakes company, highlighted by his breakthrough half-length victory in Gulfstream Park’s seven-furlong Army Mule Stakes in March with Dylan Davis aboard.
Pentathlon earned his first graded stakes placing when third in the one-mile Westchester Stakes (G3) in May, behind subsequent Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner Antiquarian and multiple graded stakes winner Bishops Bay.
Sunday’s Forty Niner presents another competitive test, with grade 1 winner East Avenue and multiple graded stakes winner Crazy Mason among his opponents.
Owned in partnership by Phipps Stable, St. Elias Stable, and Woodford Racing, Pentathlon has six wins and five placings from 21 career starts, with earnings of $461,782.
The son of Speightstown is out of the graded stakes-placed Tapit mare Parade. His third dam, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner My Flag (Easy Goer), is a daughter of undefeated Hall of Famer Personal Ensign (Private Account), his fourth dam.
Jason Brooks is a Thoroughbred racing and pedigree researcher, writer, and social media manager based in Saratoga Springs, New York. He can be followed on X at @bjbrooksNY.
