Tuscan Sky made a striking comeback

Tuscan Sky (Vino Rosso) redeemed himself with an impressive victory in the NYRA Bets Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park. After finishing a disappointing seventh as the 5-2 second choice in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes on April 6, Tuscan Sky made a strong comeback in this race, his fourth career start, and his first with blinkers.

Under the guidance of jockey Javier Castellano, the grey colt broke well and vied for the lead, setting fractions of :23.35, :46.94, and 1:11.38. Turning for home, the 2-1 third choice responded to Castellano's urging, pulling away from GIII Tampa Derby winner Domestic Product (Practical Joke) to secure a commanding 6 3/4-length victory. Hades (Awesome Slew) held on to third place.

Castellano attributed the win to the rail trip and the addition of blinkers, saying, "I think getting the rail trip was the key to winning the race. We had the inside post and held it. The blinkers helped a lot in keeping him forward. All Todd [Pletcher] told me was to get position and save ground. I think this horse deserves a shot in the [GI] Haskell, the way he won this race. The pace was quick, and he was chasing and still finished well. That's a good sign going forward."

Tuscan Sky is out of the mare South Andros, who won the 2014 Justakiss Stakes at Delaware Park. South Andros also produced Private Creed, winner of the GII Exacta Systems Franklin-Simpson Stakes last September at Kentucky Downs as a 3-year-old, and who finished third in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. South Andros has an unnamed 2-year-old colt by Complexity, a yearling full-brother to Private Creed, and recently produced a filly by Jackie's Warrior.