A
44-1 winner in his debut July 24 at Del
Mar, Premier Pegasus returned with a much smaller surprise in the $59,800 Jack
Goodman Stakes Saturday at Oak Tree/Hollywood Park.
Dispatched
at 5-1 in the field of seven 2-year-olds, the Fusaichi Pegasus colt out of the
Summer Squall mare Squall Linda led most of the way to remain perfect for
owner-breeder and trainer Myung Kwon Cho.
The
Goodman score was the second Oak Tree stakes win for Cho, the other coming with
Street Hero, a half-brother to Premier Pegasus, in the 2008 Norfolk Stakes.
Squall Linda is also Street Hero’s dam.
Ridden
by Alonso Quinonez, Premier Pegasus did not break quickly from the rail, but
quickly joined McKenzies Way,
took the lead inside of that one on the backstretch and had something in reserve
when challenged in the stretch.
The
$35,400 payday increased his earnings to $65,400. While winning by 1 ¾ lengths,
Premier Pegasus covered the six furlongs in 1:09.62.
As
the fifth choice, Premier Pegasus paid $13, $5.60 and $3.60. McKenzies Way returned $6.40 and $3.60.
The show price on Clubhouse Ride, the 5-2 favorite who finished a half-length
behind McKenzies Way,
was $2.60.
Celestic
Night finished fourth, then came Awesome Patriot, the 5-2 second choice, Road
Ready and Winning Desire.
Cho
indicated Premier Pegasus could ship to Kentucky
and run in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Nov. 6 at Churchill
Downs.