To view the Pegasus Stakes, click here.

by Pete Denk

Bad Action, claimed for $35,000 a little more than a year ago, won the $150,000 Pegasus Stakes (G3) at the Meadowlands on Friday night.

The three-year-old Brahms gelding and jockey David Cohen were last entering the first turn of the 1 1/8-mile dirt race, which drew a field of six. Fourth turning for home, Bad Action rallied steadily and wore down runner-up Big Top to win by a half-length.

Big Top stalked pacesetter Lord Justice through six furlongs in 1:10.05 and was game in defeat. It was another three lengths back to 9-to-10 favorite Iqbaal in third.

Bad Action improved his record to eight wins from 21 starts, with earnings of $299,115. Gary Contessa trains Bad Action for the partnership of Sanford H. Robbins, Winning Move Stable, and P and D Kaplan Racing.

“There was a pretty fast pace out there and he was pretty much against the bit the whole way," Cohen said.  "Gary's only instruction to me was to get him outside, and I found out today that he has a big run. I know a lot of jockeys say this, but the whole way, I was gathered with horse. I could have made the lead at any time.”

Bad Action was bred in Florida by Pennston Farm and is the first starter out of the winning Sky Classic mare Lucky Carley, a half sister to multiple Grade 3 winner Pie’s Prospect.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Pete Denk is sales editor for Thoroughbred Times