Fusaichi Pegasus in the post parade for the Jerome courtesy of Tina Hines

Dateline: 9/23/00

Fusaichi Pegasus made his first start back since finishing a disappointing second in the Preakness Stakes a winning one despite Neil Drysdale saying he was not 100% ready yet. Sent off as the 1.20-1 favorite in the Grade 2 Jerome Handicap, he was a reserved fifth place thru the first half mile then rallied to get the lead by the stretch. He won under a vigorous hand ride by 3/4 of a length in a final time of 1:34.07 for the mile with El Corredor second and early pacesetter Albert the Great another 3 3/4 lengths back in third. He is on track to go to the Breeders' Cup Classic and a start in the Jockey Club Gold Cup in October is still a possibility.

Although the Jerome Handicap got the most attention today because of Fusaichi Pegasus, the real feature of the day was the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes. The race was a showdown between Todd Pletcher's trainees Trippi and More Than Ready with Trippi getting the win by 1/2 length over his stablemate. More Than Ready was the 1.75-1 favorite but was bumped at the start and in 9th position after the first quarter. He made a good rally at the end, but it just wasn't enough to catch Trippi who won in 1:21.66 for the 7 furlongs.

Pgm  Horse              Jockey            Win   Place   Show
 1   Fusaichi Pegasus   Desormeaux       4.40    3.00   2.20
 3   El Corredor        Bailey                   3.60   2.60
 2   Albert the Great   Chavez                          2.40

Winning Time:  1:34.07

$2 Exacta 1-3               14.20
$2 Trifecta  1-3-2          28.40

Pgm  Horse              Jockey            Win   Place   Show
 1   Trippi             Bailey           9.20    4.50   3.60
 2   More Than Ready    Day                      3.20   2.50
 7   One Way Love       Chavez                          5.30

Winning Time:  1:21.66

$2 Exacta 1-2               22.60
$2 Trifecta  1-2-7         153.00

Here is a nice selection of photos from the Jerome and Vosburgh courtesy of photographers Tina Hines and Debi Kral. Enjoy!

Fusaichi Pegasus enters the paddock at Belmont for the Jerome Handicap.

Courtesy of Tina Hines

Fusaichi Pegasus leaving the paddock for the track as the rain comes down.

Courtesy of Tina Hines

Fusaichi Pegasus winning by 3/4 of a length over El Corredor.

Courtesy of Tina Hines

A triumphant Kent Desormeaux and Fusaichi Pegasus head back to the winner's circle.

Courtesy of Debi Kral

The winner's circle picture.

Courtesy of Tina Hines

Fusaichi Pegasus back at the barn cooling off.

Courtesy of Tina Hines

Fusaichi Pegasus looking toward future conquests.

Courtesy of Tina Hines

Trippi holds off his stablemate More Than Ready to win the Vosburgh Stakes.

Courtesy of Tina Hines

Jerry Bailey and Trippi head to the winner's circle.

Courtesy of Debi Kral

Can't get enough of Fusaichi Pegasus? Check here for lots of pictures of him from the Kentucky Derby.

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