2023 Pegasus Stakes exotics and field analysis

Kentucky Derby (G1) also-ran Kingsbarns will headline a field of eight three-year-olds in the 1 1/16-mile Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Below we examine the 2023 Pegasus field and provide our best exotics plays — including exacta, trifecta, and superfecta tickets — for Race 10 at Monmouth on June 17.

Pegasus Stakes selections

• #8 Kingsbarns (8-5)
  
• #4 Salute the Stars (9-2)
• #7 Howgreatisnate (6-1)
  

Pegasus Stakes wagers

• $5 Exacta: 8 with 4, 7 ($10)
• $2.50 Trifecta: 8 with 4, 7 with 1, 4, 7 ($10)
• 40-cent Superfecta: 4, 8 with 4, 7, 8 with 1, 4, 6, 7, 8 with 1, 4, 6, 7, 8 ($9.60)

#1 Classic Catch (3-1): One of two Todd Pletcher runners in the field, the Classic Empire colt last finished a 10-length fourth in the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan (G3) at Belmont under Irad Ortiz Jr. The sophomore will cut back in distance and pick up leading Monmouth rider Paco Lopez (31% winner this meet). The late presser type scored his only two career victories when racing 1 1/8 miles, and the shorter distance today may cause him trouble; he's more likely to settle for the minor awards.

#2 Moreau (8-1): The Speightstown colt graduated at second asking when winning a one-mile maiden special weight at Churchill Downs by 2 1/2 lengths while recording an 87 Brisnet Speed figure. Trainer Andrew McKeever is 2-for-8 in graded stakes, but just an 8% winner with shippers and a 7% winner with horses coming off a maiden victory. Florent Geroux will pick up the mount on the three-year-old and strikes at a 25% rate with routes, while he's a 12% winner with presser types.

#3 No Confession (30-1): The Into Mischief gelding was a distant sixth to today's race rival Howgreatisnate in the one-mile and 70-yard Long Branch S. last out at this track. Trainer John Mc Allen is 1-for-49 with horses making their second start off a layoff and 0-for-10 in non-graded stakes. Pedro Cotto Jr. (7% winner this meet) will inherit the mount.

#4 Salute the Stars (9-2): The Candy Ride colt is 2-for-3 to start his career, scoring victories in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at second asking and a 1 1/8-mile allowance taken off the turf at Churchill in mid-May. The three-year-old posted a career-best 96 BRIS figure when winning by a neck last out in his lone dirt start and may take another step forward in his second start off a layoff as well as his second start for trainer Brad Cox. Joel Rosario will pick up the mount with Florent Geroux aboard Moreau. Cox is a 28% winner with shippers and a 24% winner in non-graded stakes.

#5 Alternate Reality (12-1): Winner of two straight, the Distorted Humor grandson won by a head last out in a one-mile allowance optional claimer at Belmont in which he recorded an 84 BRIS figure. The Chris Englehart pupil will move up in class here and keeps rider Jacqueline Davis, who's 2-for-7 paired with Englehart over the last 60 days. The closer will stretch out beyond a mile for the second time in his career while making his stakes debut.

#6 Subrogate (5-1): The early pacesetter came home a three-length second in a one-mile maiden special weight on debut, then cut back to 6 1/2 furlongs and led at every call to win a $90K maiden at Belmont while recording a 96 BRIS figure. The Arrogate colt moves up in class and will stick with rider Jevian Toledo. Jorge Duarte is 1-for-8 to start the meet and 4-for-40 in non-graded stakes.

#7 Howgreatisnate (6-1): The Speightster gelding flashed a 94 Speed figure when winning the Long Branch S. in his first start for Elizabeth Dobles (1-for-4 this meet). The three-year-old will make his second start with jockey Jairo Rendon, and Dobles is a 15% winner with horses that won their last race, as well as a 19% winner in non-graded stakes.

#8 Kingsbarns (8-5): The Uncle Mo colt kicked off his career as a three-year-old in January and reeled off three straight victories in a one-mile maiden special weight, a one-mile and 40-yard allowance, and the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby (G2). Last out, he attempted the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby and dueled with Verifying to set a hot early pace before weakening to finish far back in 14th. The Pletcher trainee will get some class relief while cutting back in distance, and he'll look to get out front early while breaking from the outside. Luis Saez, a 23% winner with routes, will regain the mount and won with the three-year-old in Kingsbarns' career bow.