Columnist Ralph Siraco: ‘Pegasus’ to face thinner field in Preakness

Ralph Siraco

Monday, May 15, 2000 | 9:23 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday, and his Southern California selections run Tuesday through Friday on the scoreboard page. Write to him c/o Las Vegas Sun, 800 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107.

This Saturday marks the 125th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown.

And if Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus is victorious, as many prognosticators believe he will be, then for the fourth consecutive year there will be a Triple Crown trophy on the line when the Belmont rolls around June 10.

But first things first.

After his convincing victory in the Kentucky Derby on May 6, Fusaichi Pegasus was immediately ordained by some as the next Triple Crown winner. With the perceived ease with which he disposed of 18 rivals at Churchill Downs, the question rang out: Who out there can beat Fusaichi Pegasus? Certainly, it was reasoned, not anyone who faced him in the Derby.

As the Preakness field starts to coagulate, it appears certain that those ready to take on Fusaichi Pegasus will be fewer in number than the Derby mass. As of today, with the draw for post positions less than 72 hours away, nine probables remain to challenge the Derby winner.

Trainer Neil Drysdale said Sunday that Fusaichi Pegasus will run in the Preakness, erasing any doubt that the Derby champ has yet to recover from his win in Louisville.

Among the nine challengers expected to enter the gates in Baltimore, six return from the Kentucky Derby along with three "new shooters."

Of the Kentucky Derby clan, Hal's Hope, 16th after setting the pace in the Derby, and High Yield, who finished 15th, will try to improve their positions at the Preakness. Sitting as "possibles" after their Derby outings are Captain Steve (eighth), Impeachment (third), More Than Ready (fourth) and Wheelaway (fifth).

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who had four horses in the Derby, is contemplating entering More Than Ready and Impeachment, as they both finished well in Kentucky.

John Kimmel, who conditions Wheelaway, thinks his horse should improve from his Derby experience.

Trainer Bob Baffert, who has won two of the last three Preakness Stakes, reported that Captain Steve is doing fine, but will need a solid drill this week to make the field at Pimlico. "He's going to have to show me (in the workout)," Baffert said. When asked what his horse would have to do to punch a ticket to Baltimore, Baffert replied, "I'll know when I see it."

The new faces include Arkansas Derby runner-up Snuck In, California speedster Hugh Hefner, who recently finished second in the Snow Chief at Hollywood Park, and Wood Memorial runner-up Red Bullet.

Trainer Marty Jones has already conceded the victory to Fusaichi Pegasus, but said it is no disgrace to finish second in the Preakness. And, with the purse for the 1 3/16-mile race a cool $1 million, the runner-up stipend is a solid $200,000.

Trainer Steve Asmussen held Snuck In out of the Derby and pointed instead to the Preakness. Concern about post position and the large field size of the Derby, in addition to a preference for the shorter distance of the Preakness and an extra week of preparation, were the main reasons for his decision.

The most interesting newcomer and possibly the most dangerous of the X-factors is Red Bullet. The lightly raced son of 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled also passed up the Derby in favor of the Preakness. Owned by Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park proprietor Frank Stronach, Red Bullet has already had a Fusaichi Pegasus experience. After three undefeated career starts, Red Bullet couldn't hold off "Fu-Peg" in the Wood Memorial April 15 but has been training well for the Maryland rematch.

On Saturday at Pimlico, Red Bullet blew out with a bullet drill of 58.4 seconds for five furlongs while galloping out a solid six panels in 1:12. Trainer Joe Orseno has pointed his horse to the Preakness since the decision to forego the Derby was made.

"The five weeks (between the Wood and Preakness) did him good," Orseno said after Saturday's workout.

Jockey Jerry Bailey, who rode Red Bullet to a Gulfstream Park allowance victory in early February, returns as his partner in the Preakness.

Fusaichi Pegasus has been doing well, jogging and galloping at Churchill Downs, and will be at Pimlico in time for the call to the post on Saturday. Drysdale took a dry-run visit to Ol' Hilltop over the weekend to familiarize himself with the accommodations.

After all, his Fusaichi Pegasus is waiting to be fitted for a Crown.