Fusaichi Pegasus

STALLION

OF THE WEEK

AUGUST 19

Roman Ruler stars for Fusaichi Pegasus

by James Scully

Kentucky Derby (G1) winner FUSAICHI PEGASUS (Mr. Prospector)

has lived up to lofty expectations with his first crop this year

and has a son who many feel will be extra special. Roman Ruler's

smashing seven-length victory in Sunday's Best Pal S. (G2) has

the racing world buzzing about the dark bay colt.

Trainer Bob Baffert said he was so excited after the victory

that he couldn't sleep Sunday evening, and jockey Corey Nakatani

also offered gushing praise for the juvenile.

"This is a special horse," Nakatani exclaimed.

"We're on the road to the Triple Crown -- fasten your

seatbelts."

Roman Ruler, who galloped home to complete 6 1/2 furlongs in a

swift 1:15 4/5, is now two for two and could run next in the

seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity (G2) on September 8 or stretch out

for the two-turn Kentucky Cup Juvenile S. (G3) at Turfway Park on

September 18.

Like seemingly all Fusaichi Pegasus offspring to race so far,

the $500,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase hit the track running, winning his

debut by four lengths on June 19. The first Fusaichi Pegasus to

race was In Excelsis, who captured his career debut on April 22

in Ireland. The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt is out of multiple

Grade 1 queen Lakeway (Seattle Slew).

Fusaichi Pegasus' daughter, South Bay Cove, won the Shady Well

S. at Woodbine by 12 1/2 lengths on July 24 for conditioner Roger

Attfield. Other progeny include Killenaule, an impressive maiden

winner at Monmouth Park before placing in the Colin S.; recent

Irish winner Scandinavia, who will be pointed toward group races

according to O'Brien; and Sur Ma Vie, who drew kudos for her

maiden score in France on August 5.

He's had eight winners and two placed from 11 starters.

The seven-year-old stallion was purchased for a sales-topping

$4 million at the 1998 Keeneland July auction by Fusao Sekiguchi

and trained by Neil Drysdale throughout his career. He's out of

the stakes-placed Angel Fever (Danzig), who is a daughter of the

Halo mare Rowdy Angel. Angel Fever counts Preakness (G1) winner

Pine Bluff as a full brother and is a half-sister to Arkansas

Derby (G1) hero Demons Begone, who was the 1987 Kentucky Derby

favorite.

Fusaichi Pegasus won the San Felipe (G2) and Wood Memorial (G2)

prior to his convincing score in the 2000 Kentucky Derby, which he

won by 1 1/2 lengths under Kent Desormeaux. The bay colt is the

only son of Mr. Prospector to win the Run for the Roses, and he

became the first Derby favorite to succeed since Spectacular Bid

in 1979. Fusaichi Pegasus then finished second in the Preakness

and won the Jerome H. (G2) later in the season.

The Kentucky-bred retired at the end of 2000 with a record of

9-6-2-0 and $1,994,400 in earnings. Fusaichi Pegasus entered stud

at Coolmore's Ashford Kentucky near Versailles, Kentucky, and has

shuttled to Coolmore Australia since entering stud. He stood the

2004 season in the United States for a live foal fee of $85,000.

Fusaichi Pegasus has passed on his good looks. A two-year-old

son brought a world record $4.5 million at February's Fasig-Tipton

sale. His yearlings have sold for as much as $1.5 million.

Fusaichi Pegasus is off to a flying start at stud.