For Fusaichi Pegasus, It’s Like Old Times

It would be interesting to see what Fusaichi Pegasus could do if trainer Neil Drysdale had the Kentucky Derby winner fully cranked up.

Drysdale suggested that the screws might not have been tightened for his colt’s first race in four months, but Fusaichi Pegasus, with no encouragement from jockey Kent Desormeaux’s whip, still sailed home Saturday, winning the $150,000 Jerome Stakes by three-quarters of a length in a drizzle at Belmont Park.

The stage didn’t seem to be set for Fusaichi Pegasus’ first outing since his second-place finish to Red Bullet in the Preakness: The one-mile distance was something the colt had never run before; the fast and wet surface was not unlike the off track that troubled him in the Preakness; and he was carrying 124 pounds, between four and 10 pounds more than his five rivals.

“Jerry Bailey [on El Corredor] was riding our horse,” Desormeaux said. “I love being in a situation where everybody is trying to beat you. I’m excited that this horse is back. Once we hit the eighth pole, he put his foot down and took off. I think I got whiplash. He finished up with something left, and I’m just glad for racing fans that he’s back.”

El Corredor, running for the first time outside California, finished second as his four-race winning streak ended. Albert The Great was on the early lead, which infuriated his trainer, Nick Zito, and came in third. He was followed by Big E E, Hook And Ladder and Concerned Minister. Quiet Mike was scratched.

Paying $4.40 as the favorite, Fusaichi Pegasus now has six wins and two seconds in eight starts and earnings of almost $2 million. He is the first Derby winner since Chateaugay, in 1963, to win the Jerome, and his time of 1:34, in the 131st running of the stake, has been bettered by only three other horses. The record for the Jerome, 1:33 1/5, was set by Noble Nashua in 1981.

Breaking from the inside post, Fusaichi Pegasus was in fourth and fifth place early. Desormeaux swung him to the outside after the run down the backstretch, and the colt came four-wide to take command as they straightened out for the stretch run.

“I felt that Kent might have moved a bit early,” Drysdale said. “But the track was wet-fast, and he was riding the horse, so I’m sure he didn’t want to be left dawdling on the turn. In the stretch, it looked like Kent stopped riding. But then when he looked back and saw [El Corredor], he started riding again.”

Drysdale wouldn’t commit to Fusaichi Pegasus’ next race, but it’s likely to be the $1-million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont on Oct. 14. After that comes the $4-million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4.

Horse Racing Notes

Also at Belmont, trainer Todd Pletcher’s two 3-year-olds, Trippi and More Than Ready, ran 1-2, separated by a half-length, in the $300,000 Vosburgh Stakes. Trippi, ridden by Jerry Bailey, led all the way and paid $9.20 to win. His time for seven furlongs was 1:21 3/5. Pletcher plans to run both colts in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 4. . . . Devine Wind, ridden by Garrett Gomez for trainer Nick Canani, was a one-length winner of the $200,000 Bay Meadows Handicap. Irish Prize, trained by Neil Drysdale, finished second and Deploy Venture third. Devine Wind paid $9, running 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:47. . . . Trailthefox, was a 1 1/4-length winner of the $150,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity in suburban Chicago. Trailthefox, claimed at Hollywood in July for $50,000 by trainer Pierre Bellocq, is now trained by Patrick Biancone. The colt was ridden Saturday by Shane Sellers. . . . At Fairplex Park, Midnight Fandango, trained by Grant Hofmans and ridden by Tyler Baze, registered a 32-1 upset in the Barretts Debutante Stakes.