Premier Pegasus Scratched from Santa Anita Derby due to Injury - 04-08-11

April 8 - Set to start in Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Derby (Gr 1) in California as the favorite, three-year-old colt Premier Pegasus was scratched from the prestigious race on Thursday because of a hairline fracture in the cannon bone of his left foreleg.

The fracture was discovered on Thursday, soon after Premier Pegasus galloped on Santa Anita?s infield training track and appeared to stumble. Maria Ayala told her boss, owner-trainer Myung Kwon Cho about the stumble, and x-rays revealed the fracture.

Said Ayala, 'The vet said Premier Pegasus had a hairline fracture of the cannon bone. Not good, but the horse is okay.' The news came as a big blow to betting fans of Premier Pegasus, who could have gone on to be a formidable Kentucky Derby contender.

In his career so far, Premier Pegasus has won 4 out of 5 starts - including last year's Jack Goodman Stakes and Hollywood Prevue Stakes - and accrued a none-too-shabby $293,400 in purses. This year he came second in the Vicente Stakes (Gr 2) before romping home first by a massive 7 3/4 lengths in last month's San Felipe Stakes, which ensured his favorite status in the Santa Anita Derby.

So it's back to the drawing board for betting fans ahead of Saturday's big race, in which 10 runners are expected to start now that Premier Pegasus is out. The new likely race favorite will be Kentucky-bred Jaycito, who finished runner-up in the San Felipe Stakes.

That said, Silver Medallion could also start as the early morning line favorite, considering how he won the El Camino Real Derby (Gr 3) at Golden Gate Fields on February 12 this year. But whoever starts as the favorite, many fans will wish it was Premier Pegasus.

Here is the complete field and trainers for the 2011 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday at Santa Anita Park:

1. Offlee Wild Boys (CA) 3/G S Miyadi
2. Indian Winter (KY) 3/C J Hollendorfer
3. Mr. Commons (KY) 3/C J A Shirreffs
4. Silver Medallion (KY) 3/C S M Asmussen
5. Comma to the Top (FL) 3/G P Miller
6. Midnight Interlude (KY) 3/C B Baffert
7. Quail Hill (KY) 3/C D E Hofmans
8. Anthony's Cross (PA) 3/C E G Harty
9. Bench Points (CA) 3/G T Yakteen
10. Jaycito (KY) 3/C B Baffert