Hancock, Drysdale, and Fusaichi Pegasus are getting the respect they deserve

Eighteen years ago on Kentucky Derby (G1) day, as twilight arrived in Louisville, Arthur Hancock was walking around the track, back to the barns to see Gato Del Sol, the Derby winner he co-bred and co-owned with Leone J. Peters. "Thanks," said Hancock, responding to congratulations on his historic achievement. "But you know what, I want to win this race again. They say anyone can get lucky one time."

On May 6, Hancock proved that he is also good, achieving his goal of breeding his second Kentucky Derby winner, Fusaichi Pegasus, bred in partnership with Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Ltd. Hancock had attained the other half of his goal, owning a second Derby winner, 11 years earlier. He was the co-owner of Sunday Silence, the 1989 Horse of the Year who was raised at his Stone Farm near Paris, Kentucky. No breeder in the last two decades has a better record in the Derby.

And his record was almost a lot better. Hancock-bred Risen Star, arguably the best horse in the 1988 Derby, finished third and came back to win the Preakness (G1) and Belmont (G1) Stakes. Strodes Creek, co-bred by Hancock, was second in the 1994 Derby, while Hancock-bred Menifee was second in last year's Derby and Preakness.

Scion of the influential Hancock family of Claiborne Farm, Arthur has cut his own swath through racing. And he has done it his way, on his own, from scratch. While he is best known as co-owner of Sunday Silence, he is on the threshold of gaining even greater acclaim as co-breeder of Fusaichi Pegasus, a horse who is on the cusp of greatness.

The Derby always brings a number of things into sharper focus. Take Neil Drysdale, for instance.

A trainer of consummate skill, Drysdale's talents-despite all his success with such horses as A.P. Indy, Hollywood Wildcat, Princess Rooney, and Tasso, among othersÑhave not been fully appreciated by the wider racing audience. Yes, he was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame this year, but that vote comes from a panel of Turf writers. Good trainers based on the West Coast do not seem to get the respect they deserve because they are not as visible to fans and Turf writers in the Midwest and East Coast.

A disciple of the great trainer Charlie Whittingham, Drysdale exhibits many of the same traits as his mentor: Great preparation, attention to detail, patience, and getting the best out of his horse for the big race.

To those who know Drysdale, the prerace speculation that Fusaichi Pegasus would not be able mentally to handle the large crowd on Derby day was laughable: Drysdale would never have brought the colt to the Derby if he had any doubt the colt would be able to handle the event. If Drysdale has one fault from an owner's perspective it is that he is too conservative in starting his horses. If he gets them into the starting gate, they are more than ready.

As Fusaichi Pegasus moves along the Triple Crown trail-we expect successfully, we might add-Drysdale's ability will become much more appreciated by the wider racing audience.

As Whittingham once said, "No one knows who you are until you've won the Kentucky Derby."

Some other thoughts after the 126th running of the Derby:

• After 20 years of losing favorites, the favorite finally won. That proves several things. First, every now and then the best horse wins. Second, fans have been poor handicappers.
• The sport is due for a Triple Crown winner. There has always been a living Triple Crown winner. When Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973, Count Fleet, winner of the 1943 Triple Crown, was still keeping the flame burning at age 33. Count Fleet died on December 3, 1973, five months after Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes. Seattle Slew and Affirmed, the sport's two living Triple Crown winners, are 26 and 25, respectively.
• Fusaichi Pegasus, a $4-million Keeneland July sale topper, will encourage a lot more bidding at selected sales in the future, just as the success of his sire, Mr. Prospector, sale topper at the 1971 Keeneland July sale, did before him.
• Fusaichi Pegasus has the best chance at winning the Triple Crown since Spectacular Bid because of his talent, intelligence, and running style. The fact that he is lightly raced and still improving enhances his chances. It seems as if only bad luck can stop him.
• Personal message to Fusaichi Pegasus's groom: Keep track of the safety pins.