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 Saturday, December 11, 2004

  Hollywood Park, Race 4, Msw, 35,400, 2yo, 6 1/2f, 1:15 2/5, ft

  Fusaichi Samurai, C, 2, by Fusaichi Pegasus

1st Dam: Hidden Storm, by Storm Cat

2nd Dam: Hidden Garden, by Mr. Prospector

3rd Dam: The Garden Club, by *Herbager

On Dec. 11, 1999, an impeccably bred juvenile named Fusaichi Pegasus made his debut at Hollywood Park, finishing second to David Copperfield. A half-decade later, a strapping son of the eventual Kentucky Derby winner did his pop one better, stamping himself as an exciting prospect for next year’s classics. Fusaichi Samurai, who was listed as a 20-1 chance for the Kentucky Derby in Las Vegas before yesterday’s race, was purchased for $4.5 million at the Fasig-Tipton February Sale by the same man who owned Fusaichi Pegasus, Fusao Sekiguchi. Neil Drysdale, again Sekiguchi’s choice as trainer, put plenty of bottom into Fusaichi Samurai in the mornings with several six- and seven-panel moves, but sharpened him up with a four-furlong breeze in :47 1/5 at Hollywood Dec. 1. Showing good speed from the break here, the crowd’s 3-5 pick angled to the rail and relaxed into stride despite pressure from Mysto’s (Malibu Moon). Fusaichi Samurai began to edge away two furlongs out and cruised home a geared-down two-length winner. He earned a 92 Beyer for the effort. Jockey Victor Espinoza was effusive with his praise afterward, saying, "He is one of the best horses I’ve ever ridden." Fusaichi Samurai, produced by a half sister to MGSW Jazz Club, was a $270,000 yearling. He becomes the 15th winner for his freshman sire (by Mr. Prospector).

Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $21,000.

O: Fusao Sekiguchi | B: Eagle Holdings (KY) | T: Neil Drysdale