2000 Kentucky Derby

Background

Fusaichi Pegasus was known as “the most expensive racehorse of all time.” Fusaichi Pegasus was born to mare Angel Fever, who was purchased from Bob McNair and Arthur Hancock’s Stone Farm for $525,000. Fusaichi Pegasus was sold at the 1998 Keeneland July yearling sale to a Japanese businessman, Fusao Sekiguchi, who purchased the yearling at $4 million--the most expensive sale in 13 years. Fusaichi Pegasus was named after the last four letters, “ichi” which means “best” and “Pegasus'', which refers to the winged mythical creature. After Fusaichi Pegasus' winning debut at the Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2000, Fusaichi was sold by Sekiguchi for a record of $70 million. This record-selling horse went to Coolmore Stud in Ireland, and he's held the title of "the most expensive horse in history" all the way through to his retirement of stud duties at Coolmore Stud in Kentucky during 2020.

Payout

;The 126th Kentucky Derby Payout Schedule

• $2 Exacta: (12-5) Paid $66.00
• $2 Trifecta: (12-5-1c) Paid $435.00
• $1 Superfecta: (12-5-1c-9) Paid $1,635.40

Full results

Race description

Fusaichi Pegasus broke to the inside left of the field at the start of the race, saving ground along the backstretch. Trippi takes the early lead, with Hal's Hope challenging early on. Aptitude won along the backstretch, easing outside Fusaichi Pegasus nearing the final sixteenth. When rounding the clubhouse turn, Hal's Hope is in the front, following Trippi on the outside in second place. At the 1/2 mile mark, Fusaichi Pegasus finds room in the back towards the inside, having a lot of ground to make up, being eight links from the front. On the far turn, Hal's Hope is continuing to lead the way on the inside. By the 3/4 mile mark, Hal's Hope and Trippi are neck and neck of one another. We then see in the middle of the track that Captain Steve and Wheelaway have made advancing movements, and can see Fusaichi Pegasus in fifth place. Wheelaway takes lead by a head, with More Than Ready following in line. Fusaichi Pegasus comes flying on the outside, passing and taking the lead. Fusaichi Pegasus wins the Kentucky Derby by a leg and a half, with Aptitude following just behind.

References

References

1. [http://www.kentuckyderby.com/history/year/2000 Kentucky Derby History, 2000]
2. [https://web.archive.org/web/20000826215618/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/horseracing/2000/triplecrown/kentucky/news/2000/05/06/race_ap/index.html "Flying away: Fusaichi Pegasus wins 126th Kentucky Derby"]. May 7, 2000. ''Sports Illustrated''
3. Vega, Nicolas. (2021-05-01). "2021 Kentucky Derby: How much prize money the winning jockey will earn".
4. Amanda Vlietstra. (2020-11-11). "The world's most expensive horse, plus 4 other price busters".
5. (2020-05-06). "Hype, Luck and Mystery: The Story of Fusaichi Pegasus and the Most Valuable Horse Race in History {{!}} The Action Network".
6. "ESPN.com - Triple Crown 2000 - 126th Kentucky Derby results".
7. "2000 Kentucky Derby Results Tables".
8. "2000".