An evenly matched field of seven was drawn for tomorrow night’s $400,000 Grade 2 Pegasus Handicap at The Meadowlands.
Forty One Carats and Zanetti, the first two finishers in the Indiana Derby, are the 120 pound highweights, with Talk’s Cheap assigned 118 for the Pegasus.
Forty One Carats has been named the morning line favorite at 2-1 for the mile and an eighth Pegasus, the last major opportunity for three-year-olds to compete in their own division. Talk’s Cheap is the second choice at 5-2 and Unbridled Jet, the unlucky fourth place finisher in the Haskell, is the third choice at 3-1. Jerry Bailey comes in for the mount on Unbridled’s Jet for Bill Mott.
1ST RACE – Cherokee Squaw rated off the pace set by Brite Girl, took over at the top of the stretch and drew away for the victory. Asap, hesitated at the start, then made a five wide move on the turn to reach contention. She was second in midstretch but couldn’t hold off Arctic Gold, who closed well on the rail despite losing the whip in midtsretch to beat her out for the place spot.
3RD RACE – Ponte Vedra Vixen set the pace with Timely’s Pic pressing in second. On the turn, Frenetic made a four wide move to get the lead and drew away in the stretch for the victory. Its A Dusty Beauty raced close throughout and held well to be second. Shannonaire stumbled at the start and then raced wide before tiring. She was claimed by Mitch Friedman for $50,000.
6TH RACE – Chancery Court took over the lead soon after the start and then drew off to an easy victory. Hades was bumped at the start, then steadied on the turn but he closed well to be second. Whirley ducked in at the start and Mike Smith was very lucky not to be thrown off the horse. After Smith straightened him out and giving about 20 lengths to the field, Whirley advanced gradually and showed a nice run down the stretch without much urging. He will be dangerous in his next start if he breaks well.
7TH RACE – John Velazquez rode very confidently on King Tango, giving him a hand ride until the eighth pole. When Bestbandintheland came up to him and threatened to take the lead, Velazquez asked King Tango to dig in and he responded. King Tango took the lead and held off Bestbandintheland for the victory. After the race, Mark Hennig, trainer of King’s Crown, was upset with Jose Riquelme, the rider of Mad River, for an incident during the race. It appeared that King’s Crown steadied a bit by Mad River entering the far turn and forced Two’s A Jake, who was tiring on the rail, to check. But Mike Smith, who rode King’s Crown, stuck up for the young rider and nothing came of it. PICK SIXWinning numbers: 3-4-7-2-3-42 winners each receives $11,45589 consolation (5 of 6) winnerseach receives $85.50No carryover.