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.