Aerolithe arrives from Japan for Pegasus Turf
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Following a journey of more than 21 hours, the Japanese-bred Aerolithe arrived here early Wednesday, making her the first non-Florida-based arrival for either of the Pegasus World Cup events, set for next Saturday, Jan. 26. The 5-year-old mare was flown from Tokyo to South Korea to Alaska to Miami, pulling through the Gulfstream stable gate at about 3:15 a.m.
Aerolithe is one of at least 10 prospective starters for the inaugural running of the $7 million Pegasus Turf, for which Yoshida, Next Shares, and Magic Wand look like the early favorites. The newest names on the confirmed list are Dubby Dubbie, a last-out Churchill Downs allowance winner who has been purchased privately by Ron Paolucci and is now being trained by Bob Hess Jr., and the speedy Fahan Mura, based in California with Vladimir Cerin.
Meanwhile, five of the 11 known starters for the $9 million Pegasus already are stabled in Florida, with the first scheduled shipper being City of Light, who was expected here early Wednesday afternoon following a flight from California. Several others, including the likely race favorite Accelerate, are scheduled to arrive Tuesday.
Entries for both Pegasus races will be drawn Tuesday. In all, there will be nine stakes on the Pegasus card.
