Premier Pegasus In Line For A Spot In The Derby 20

By Author: Lee Lane-Edgar
Total Articles: 365
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At first look, it may be a bit surprising that Premier Pegasus is ranked 9th in contention for the Kentucky Derby and moreover seems to be a bit of a shoe-in this year. However, when you take a look at a rather short 2010 season, you see where he has made an impression on the racing scene. Pegasus finished first in both of his 2010 races even though he has run far less than most of the other colts this year. Perhaps it has paid off, giving this colt room to mature and train before he debuts his 2011 maiden.

Taking into consideration that Pegasus placed first in two grade three races against some softer competition, his first maiden of the 2011 season was also very impressive. He placed third in the grade two San Vicente at Santa Anita, against the likes of The Factor and Sway Away, two extremely strong contenders for the Triple Crown this year. He is a consistent horse with so much promise in just a few short races, stacked up against more seasoned horses on the circuit. This track record is the reason that Premier Pegasus has become one to watch for the Derby win.

In the 2010 season, jockey Alonso Quinonez ...
... let us in on his racing style with Pegasus, “"I think it will be easy to get the lead and then he can relax.” This is the kind of racing that seems to work with this stunning colt. He races with a sense of ease and trust and that truly shines through. Jockey and trainer/owner, Myung Kwon Cho, also tries to keep Pegasus in his niche with longer races, with which he seems to do exceedingly well.

Pedigree also lends a helping hand to this colt, with Fusaichi Pegasus with career earnings of over $610,000 and graded stakes winning dam Linda Squall. Trainer Cho has also had a tremendous track record with juveniles in the Breeders’ Cup, given that this entrepreneur turned owner, breeder and trainer started in the ‘90s. Cho also raced dam Linda Squall, which is perhaps an advantage with training Premier Pegasus. He is very aware of this colt’s strong suits and weaknesses and tries to consider what is best in terms of location, turf and length of the race, as he did with the San Vicente at Santa Anita. This colt is a strong runner from wire-to-wire and has won all of his finishings on six to seven furlong tracks. This training style is obviously working, and the connection between horse, jockey and trainer is evident.

Hopes are that we see Premier Pegasus with his next start at the Louisiana Derby, a 9 furlong course on dirt. This may not be the ideal turf for many but the purse certainly is. This million dollar race is sure to attract the cream of the crop in contenders and would truly showcase his strengths and stamina. Placing in this Derby would surely be the catalyst to toward the Triple Crown for Premier Pegasus.