Pegasus Stakes 2011 - Pants on Fire wins under Rosie Napravnik, all set for Haskell Invitational
Pants on Fire is ready to create havoc in the $1million Grade One Haskell Invitational, as he out thought his rivals to win the Pegasus Stakes by two lengths and claimed the purse of $195,000.
The connections of Pants on Fire, who also own, the Belmont Stakes winner, Ruler on Ice, are oozing with confidence going into the Haskell Invitational on 31 July.
Pants on Fire will be looking to create a little bit of history for himself by landing the Haskell Invitational, and, he looks in pretty good shape. The odds favour him after the classic win on 18 June.
It will be a big boost for owners George and Lori Hall if Ruler on Ice also gets a chance to enter into the Haskell Invitational. Trainer, Kelly Breen, is hopeful that both horses race, that way George and Lori Hall double their chances of winning.
Pants on Fire announced his arrival when he was fighting his way on the road to Triple Crown. He was regarded highly and considered as a threat when he outran Nehro in the Louisiana Derby and fought hard to grab the second position in the Grade Two Lecomte
Stakes.
The colt did not disappoint in the Kentucky Derby, he finished ninth but the spirited run he showed was proof that this horse has something special about him. The first mile clearly belonged to Pants on Fire but the stretch wasn’t that kind on him.
Pants on Fire’s jockey, Rosie Napravnik, didn’t have it easy in the beginning as the colt suffered a stumble, which wasn’t fatal, because it didn’t cost him a shoe, or, anything, it was just a stumble.
Rosie took control of the situation and actually guided him on the outside to build momentum for the last and final turn. When they entered the stretch it was all about speed, and Pants on Fire did show that he has a big engine.
2 ½ lengths at the middle of the stretch and then it was all cruise control and maintaining top speed to ensure victory in the Pegasus Stakes. Pants on Fire swayed onwards and covered the entire distance in 1 minute and 42.89 seconds.
Rosie Napravnik and Pants on Fire make a good pair because the last time these two went out in the field they won the Louisiana Derby and the second time around, they bagged the Pegasus Stakes.
For Ruler on Ice and Pants on Fire’s connections it’s a warm feeling to have two colts, who are in their top form, and, winning big. Haskell Invitational surely is their next target and with the 2011 Belmont Stakes winner considered to start, they will both
be the ones to beat.
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