$200,000 Pilgrim Stakes Draws Competitive Field of Ten

Eidmilaad tops the field as the morning line favorite in the wide open field at odds of 3-1 for trainer Chad Brown. Purchased for $350,000 as a yearling by Shadwell Stable, the chestnut son of Malibu Moon is out of a stakes winning mare and will be stepping up to stakes competition for the first time. In his career debut, he defeated nine rivals on the lawn at Saratoga to break his maiden by 1 ¾ lengths. He will compete with lasix for the first time and will have Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard from post six.

Azar seeking second straight stakes score

Second choice at morning line odds of 7-2 is Azar for trainer Todd Pletcher. Purchased for $300,000, the dark bay son of Scat Daddy broke his maiden against graded stakes competition in his third career start last time out. After a seventh-place finish in his debut, he finished second against maiden company before competing in and winning the With Anticipation Stakes (G2). John Velazquez will be in the irons and they are scheduled to break from post position eight.

Next Shares trying for breakthrough win

Also in the field at morning line odds of 5-1 is Next Shares for trainer Bill Mott. A dark bay son of Archarcharch, he has yet to win from two career starts but has been second in both outings. After a runner-up effort in his debut, he stepped up to stakes company and finished second behind fellow maiden Azar in the With Anticipation Stakes (G2). Joel Rosario will be aboard from post seven as he tries to earn his first victory.