Premier Pegasus Wins Goodman Stakes

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.