NEW ORLEANS -- Trainer Ralph Nicks believes Flying Pegasus is telling him that he is ready for next Saturday's Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.
"We're ready to go, the way he's acting," Nicks said.
Flying Pegasus has worked twice since finishing second in the Grade 3 Risen Star at the Fair Grounds. On Thursday, Flying Pegasus went five furlongs in 1:02.20, an exact replica of first work after the Risen Star.
"I was happy with the work," Nicks said. "He went fine and came out of it well."
The works were designed to provide conditioning as Flying Pegasus prepares for his second start since a layoff after finishing a clear second in the Grade 2 Futurity at Belmont Park in September.
In the 1 1/16-mile Risen Star, Flying Pegasus got a head in front of eventual winner Friesan Fire entering the stretch but was unable to muster enough for the win. He finished second by two lengths after going five wide into the first turn after breaking from post 12.
"We just want to get some wind into him," Nicks said. "I am hoping for a little better post; I think the post cost him as he was four or five wide on both turns."
Recapturetheglory seeks rebound in allowance
Louie Roussel III had two roads planned for Recapturetheglory. He had him entered in Saturday's Lacombe Handicap, a turf race, in case the second-level allowance scheduled for Sunday didn't draw enough entries.
The allowance drew seven, however, and will go as Sunday's eighth race.
The mile and 40-yard race will be contested over the main track and will be Recapturetheglory's second race in his comeback campaign. He finished third last time out in an allowance run over a track rated sloppy.
"He's had a race over the course and he's in full-flesh," Roussel said. "He doesn't have any excuses."
Recapturetheglory ran his best race last April in the Grade 2 Illinois Derby, winning by four lengths. He then finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby. In the winter, he had knee surgery and it has been Roussel's project to get him back to the races.
Roussel was worried about Recapturetheglory's conditioning as he got him ready for his last race. However, he was pleased with his third-place effort.
"I thought he ran well for the public last time and I'm more confident that he will run well," Roussel said. "Some people have been telling me that it is hard for 3-year-olds turning 4 to run well against older horses, but they will have to prove it to me."
Good and Lucky taking a shot in Grade 2
Good and Lucky was given a week off after his second-place finish in the Grade 3 Mineshaft on Feb. 7 and is being pointed to the most difficult race of his career, the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap on Louisiana Derby Day.
"He was tired because he went all out in the Mineshaft," trainer Josie Carroll said. "But he bounced back really well and he's back to 100 percent."
Good and Lucky has turned in two works in preparation, and Carroll has another planned for Sunday or Monday.
The field for the New Orleans Handicap has begun to come into focus, with Mineshaft winner Honest Man returning, along with Sunshine Millions winner It's a Bird and Super Derby winner My Pal Charlie.
"It's going to be a tough race, but if we were ever going to take a chance with him, this is the track and the race," Carroll said.