)
Trainer Shug McGaughey has maintained a blistering pace at the Belmont Park fall meet, securing nine wins from 28 starts as of early November. Following a three-win Sunday, McGaughey is now positioning key runners—including Pentathlon, Quiet Power, and Flightress—for high-stakes appearances throughout the remainder of the racing calendar.
Pentathlon and Quiet Power Target Upcoming Stakes Races
- Pentathlon’s 105 Beyer Speed Figure in the Grade 3 Forty Niner establishes him as a legitimate contender for the Grade 2 Cigar Mile on December 5.
- Quiet Power’s pedigree and recent 2 1/4-length allowance win suggest significant upside for the 1 5/16-mile Jockey Club Derby on November 28.
- Flightress remains a versatile prospect; her transition to longer distances makes her a value play for either the Demoiselle on dirt or the Chesley Flower on turf.
Pentathlon’s Path to the Cigar Mile
The standout of McGaughey’s current stable is undoubtedly Pentathlon. After securing two victories at the meet—including an allowance win on October 4 and his recent success in the Forty Niner—the horse is showing a tactical maturity that was absent last season. Daily Racing Form reported that the trainer attributes this turnaround to a more consistent training regimen, particularly during the Saratoga stretch.
“He probably has trained better, especially when he got up to Saratoga,” McGaughey told Daily Racing Form. “He had a couple of eye-opening works, then we laughed because he would work good and run bad, but now he’s working good and running good.” The data confirms this upward trajectory; the 105 Beyer Speed Figure earned in the Forty Niner is a career-high watermark. This performance is a sharp contrast to his fifth-place finish in the same race last year, signaling that the horse has finally solved the tactical puzzle required for the Cigar Mile.
Stamina and Versatility in the Barn
Beyond the established performance of Pentathlon, McGaughey is managing a roster defined by distance capability and surface adaptability. Quiet Power, a 3-year-old son of Tapit, demonstrated elite endurance in his latest outing, cruising to victory in a 1 3/16-mile allowance race. McGaughey confirmed plans to test that stamina in the Grade 2, $500,000 Jockey Club Derby on November 28. “He’ll run as far as you want him to run,” the trainer noted, suggesting the 1 5/16-mile distance will play directly into the horse’s tactical profile.
The situation regarding the 2-year-old filly Flightress presents a classic trainer’s dilemma regarding surface preference. While she secured a maiden win at 1 1/16 miles, McGaughey is weighing a move to the turf for the $175,000 Chesley Flower on November 27 against a dirt campaign in the Grade 2, $250,000 Demoiselle on December 5. “If she hadn’t won the other day I was going to put her straight onto the turf,” McGaughey stated. “I think the longer the better for her, so I got to figure that part of it out. She’s still not running fast, but she’s improving.”
| Horse | Recent Achievement | Target Stakes Race | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pentathlon | 105 Beyer Speed Figure | Grade 2 Cigar Mile | Dec 5 |
| Quiet Power | Allowance Win (1 3/16m) | Grade 2 Jockey Club Derby | Nov 28 |
| Flightress | Maiden Win (1 1/16m) | Demoiselle OR Chesley Flower | Dec 5 / Nov 27 |
Broader Market Context at the Fall Meet
McGaughey’s success comes amidst a fluctuating landscape for the sport. As reported by Daily Racing Form, the Santa Anita fall meet recently experienced a dip in average daily handle.
The trainer’s current record of 9 for 28 reflects a high strike rate that keeps his stable relevant as the season enters its final month. His ability to pivot between the Cigar Mile’s high-pressure dirt track and the specialized distance requirements of the Jockey Club Derby will be the ultimate test of his tactical management as the meet concludes.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
