Kentucky Derby hero Fusaichi Pegasus has returned to the scene of his greatest moment as he continues his preparation for the US4million Breeders` Cup Classic on November 4th.
The Neil Drysdale-trained son of Mr Prospector arrived at the track yesterday following a flight from New York, where the colt had been in training at Belmont Park.
Exercise rider Andy Durnin was among those who accompanied Fusaichi Pegasus and several stablemates on the flight and said it was a routine journey.
'It was great,' said Durnin. 'It was a very short van ride from Belmont Park to JFK, where we jumped on the plane and left straight away. It`s not like being on a passenger plane at all.
The horses get to go straight away. And as soon we land they get off straight away, so they get taken care of a lot better than us passengers.'
Durnin said Fusaichi Pegasus, in particular, took the trip in stride.
'He was very quiet,' he said. 'He was very quiet, almost asleep all the way.'
He added that the Fusaichi Pegasus who returned to Churchill Downs is a more mature horse than the playful colt who trained at the track in the weeks leading up to the Derby.
'He`s a more mature horse,' he said.
'There`s nothing to say that he can`t go out jumping and rearing like he used to. But, generally, he`s not so much of a rebel anymore.'
Fusaichi Pegasus was accompanied on the flight by six stablemates and a pony. Among the stablemates was Bodyguard, the Derby winner`s frequent workmate, and British import Freefourracing, a two-year-old filly who raced this season for Brian Meehan, winning the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood from Summer Symphony.
After racing in the Classic, Fusaichi Pegasus will stand at the Ashford Stud in Kentucky, the American arm of Coolmore`s breeding operation.
