Locked, Mystik Dan & White Abarrio Headline $3 Million Pegasus World Cup

Jan 20 - Returning for its ninth year, the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) returns to Gulfstream Park on Saturday, January 25.

Trainer Ken McPeek describes saddling Mystik Dan to victory in last year's Kentucky Derby (G1) as reaching "the highest high."

"Winning the Derby is just the ultimate peak," he added.

But McPeek is searching to scale another summit Saturday when he saddles Mystik Dan in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

The Pegasus, at 1 1/8 mile, is one of seven graded races and 10 stakes overall with purses totaling $5.5 million, including the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) presented by Qatar Racing and $500,000 TAA Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2) presented by SirDavis American Whiskey. First race post is 11 a.m.

For Mystik Dan, a 4-year-old son of Goldencents who will be 8-1 on the morning line, the Pegasus could offer some redemption.

After the Derby victory and a game second-place finish in the Preakness (G1), Mystik Dan checked in eighth in the 1 ½ mile Belmont (G1), run at Saratoga, and returned from a seven-month layoff to finish sixth Dec. 26 in the seven-furlong Malibu (G1) at Santa Anita Park. McPeek believes Mystik Dan didn't have the best of circumstances in those races.

"[Jockey] Brian Hernandez felt he didn't like the kind of deepness, if you will, of the Saratoga track last summer," McPeek said. "I think this is more of a skip-along type of racetrack he'll get over well, but he'll have to do it in the afternoon."

As for the trip to Santa Anita and the Malibu? "That race in California we weren't thrilled with," McPeek offered. "Maybe I'll take the bullet for that. It was a long trip to get him out there. It was a two-day trip, truckin' to California, and he didn't do well at that distance."

McPeek's challenge now is to "figure out where he fits."

"Some horses go from being a good 3-year-old to a good older horse, and that's a challenge," he continued. "Will he transcend from a very good 3-year-old to a very good 4-year-old? The [Malibu] wasn't ideal. But it's a long year and we have several races to see where he fits. Hopefully, he comes back and proves himself as an older horse."

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who won the 2022 Pegasus World Cup with Life Is Good, comes into the race with two big chances in Locked, the 5-2 morning line favorite, and Crupi (15-1).

Locked, a son of 2018 Pegasus winner and 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner, won two races and was third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) before going to the sidelines with a knee ligament injury for 50 weeks. Since returning he won an allowance optional claiming event at Aqueduct Oct. 19 by 7 ½ lengths and won the Cigar Mile (G2) Dec. 7 by 1 ½ lengths.

"He's a horse that we always felt would be better going longer, so we're looking forward to getting him out to a mile and an eighth for the first time," Pletcher said. "He's been training really, really well so we're excited about it."

The 6-year-old Crupi, third in last year's Pegasus World Cup, has been a consistent performer throughout his career with a record of 5-4-5 in 19 career starts. The son of Curlin was second in last year's Brooklyn (G2) and Whitney (G1) and third in the Woodward (G2). He wrapped up his 2024 season with a fourth-place finish in the Clark (G2) at Churchill Downs.

"He's been training really well," Pletcher said. "I think he looks as good as he's ever looked, physically. He's an older horse now, he's fully matured and filled out, and his works have been solid."

John Velazquez will ride Locked and Luis Saez will be aboard Crupi.

Like Pletcher, Gulfstream's leading trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has two shots in the Pegasus with White Abarrio and Skippylongstocking.

White Abarrio, a winner of $5.2 million, brings an impressive resume to the Pegasus. The nearly white 6-year-old won the 2022 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) and the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). After a 10th-place finish in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) last February, the son of Race Day finished fifth in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Saratoga in June.

Five months later, he won an allowance race here Nov. 22 and finished a troubled second prepping for the Pegasus in the seven-furlong Mr. Prospector (G3).

"We're very happy with him," Joseph said. "He had an amazing work [Jan. 9]. He seems to be a horse who's giving all the signs that he's going into the race to run his best.

"Anytime you don't have to ship a horse and can run on your home track, I think it's an advantage. I definitely think running out of your stall is a plus. We're happy where we're at. If everything continues to go well, I think he has a very good chance to win the Pegasus."

The third time could be the charm for Skippylongstocking. The son of Exaggerator was pulled up in last year's Pegasus and seventh in the 2023 edition. A winner of more than $3 million for owner Daniel Alonso, Skippylongstocking won the Charles Town Classic (G2) and Oaklawn Handicap (G2) last year and was sixth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

The Championship Meet's leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride White Abarrio, and Tyler Gaffalione will ride Skippylongstocking.

Power Squeeze becomes the first filly to face the boys in the Pegasus World Cup since Stellar Wind finished sixth in 2018. Owned by Lea Farms, LLC and trained by Jorge Delgado, Power Squeeze won the Alabama (G1) at Saratoga in August. After finishing seventh in the Cotillion (G1) at Parx, she prepared for the Pegasus with a second-place finish in the Rampart Stakes at Gulfstream Dec. 26. Javier Castellano rides.

"We could have run in the Royal Delta (G3) next month [against fillies and mares]," Delgado said, "but we feel like she's a really nice filly. She's won multiple graded stakes, and she appreciates the distance a lot. I think with the right pace she can beat whoever she faces in there. There are not many chances that you're going to have to be in these races, so you have to embrace it and make the best out of it. We believe in the filly and that's the reason why she's in the race."

FMQ Stable's Saudi Crown, from the powerful Brad Cox stable, enters off a big win in the Tenacious Stakes at Fair Grounds Dec. 21. The 5-year-old has won six of 12 starts and has a victory in the 2023 Pennsylvania Derby (G1). The son of 2017 Kentucky Derby and Florida Derby winner Always Dreaming finished third in the Saudi Cup in February and 13th in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) in November. Florent Geroux rides.

Mixto and Stronghold ship in from California. Mixto won the Pacific Classic (G1) in August at Del Mar. The Doug O'Neill-trained 5-year-old returned in November to finish 11th in the Breeders' Cup Classic and third in the Native Diver (G3). Stronghold, a 4-year-old son of Ghostzapper, won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) last April and finished seventh behind Mystik Dan in the Kentucky Derby. The colt has since run second three times in the Indiana Derby (G3), Pennsylvania Derby and Malibu.

Frankie Dettori has the mount on Mixto and Antonio Fresu on Stronghold.

Trainer Jose D'Angelo, who saddled Jesus' Team to a second-place finish in the 2021 Pegasus, sends out Newgrange. The 6-year-old son of Violence, a multiple Grade 2 winner in California, will be making his first start since finishing fifth July 27 in the San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar.

Steal Sunshine and Vitality move into the main body of the race from the also-eligible list after Imagination and last year's runner-up Senor Buscador did not enter. Steal Sunshine owns six victories at Gulfstream, including last winter's Gulfstream Park Mile (G2). Vitality, winner of the Prince of Wales at Fort Erie in September, was sixth here in December in the Harlan's Holiday.

Dylan Davis rides Steal Sunshine and Rajiv Maragh rides Vitality.

Newgrange Joins Main Pegasus World Cup (G1) Invitees

Jan 15 - Rockingham Ranch, David Bernsen and Little Red Feather Racing's 5-year-old millionaire Newgrange, a five-time graded-stakes winner, has been elevated to the main dozen horses on the final invitation list for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park.

The 1 1/8-mile Pegasus for 4-year-olds and up is the headliner on a blockbuster program featuring 10 stakes, seven graded, worth $5.55 million in purses including the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) and $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G2).

Post time for the first of 13 races on Pegasus Day will be 11 a.m. EST. Among the estimated pools on the program are $1.25 million in the Early Pick 5 (Races 1-5), $2.5 million in the Late Pick 5 (Races 9-13) and $1.5 million in the Late Pick 4 (Races 10-13). There will be a mandatory payout of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 Sunday, Jan. 26.

Newgrange owns seven wins, four thirds and $1.014 million in purse earnings from 15 lifetime starts, and has gone unraced since finishing fifth in the 1 1/16-mile San Diego Handicap (G2) last July at Del Mar. Previously based in southern California with trainer Phil D'Amato, his most recent graded triumphs came in the 2023 San Antonio (G2) and 2024 San Pasqual (G2) at Santa Anita.

By Violence, Newgrange has breezed once in South Florida for trainer Jose D'Angelo, going four furlongs in 47 seconds Jan. 8 at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County. It was the fastest of 36 works at the distance.

Newgrange takes the place of Skinner, last out winner of the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver (G3) Nov. 23, who is being pointed to make his season debut Saturday at Fair Grounds. The remaining top 11 horses remain unchanged - Crupi, Imagination, Locked, Mixto, Mystik Dan, Power Squeeze, Saudi Crown, Senor Buscador, Skippylongstocking, Stronghold and White Abarrio.

Power Squeeze, Skinner in Top 12 for Pegasus World Cup (G1)

January 8 - Grade 1-winning filly Power Squeeze and Skinner, last out winner of the Native Diver (G3) at Del Mar, were elevated to the top dozen horses on the second invitation list for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) January 25 at Gulfstream Park.

The 1 1/8-mile Pegasus for 4-year-olds and up is the headliner on a blockbuster program featuring 10 stakes, seven graded, worth $5.55 million in purses including the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) and $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G2).

Power Squeeze, the only filly on the Pegasus invite list, is based at Gulfstream with trainer Jorge Delgado. She won five of nine races in 2024, all five coming in stakes highlighted by the Alabama (G1), Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and Delaware Oaks (G3).

Trained by Cherie DeVaux, Skinner rallied for a one-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver Nov. 23. It was the first graded triumph for the 4-year-old son of Hall of Famer Curlin after placing four times previously including thirds in the 2023 Santa Anita Derby (G1) and 2022 Del Mar Futurity (G1).

Power Squeeze and Skinner replace J B Strikes Back and Rattle N Roll on the main invite list, which continues to include Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan, fellow Grade 1-winning millionaires Saudi Crown, Senor Buscador, Stronghold and White Abarrio; Grade 1 winners Locked and Mixto; millionaires Crupi and Skippylongstocking; and Grade 2 winner Imagination.

Society Man, winner of the 2024 Matt Winn (G3), and 2024 Empire Classic winner Mama's Gold were added to the list of Pegasus reserves, with Rocket Can removed from consideration. Coastal Mission, Cooke Creek, Newgrange, Red Route One, Steal Sunshine and Tumbarumba round out the alternates.

Kentucky Derby Winner Mystik Dan Among G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitations

January 1 - Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan and fellow Grade 1-winning millionaires Saudi Crown, Senor Buscador, Stronghold and White Abarrio are among 12 horses and eight reserves on the initial list of invitations to the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park.

The 1 1/8-mile Pegasus for 4-year-olds and up is the headliner on a blockbuster program featuring 10 stakes, seven graded, worth $5.55 million including the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) and $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2).

4G Racing, Valley View Farm, Lance Gasaway and Daniel Hamby III's Mystik Dan won the Southwest (G3) on the road to the 2024 Triple Crown, opening the series with a determined nose victory in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 18-1. Second as the favorite in the Preakness (G1) two weeks later, he returned to be eighth in the Belmont (G1) and did not race again until running sixth in the seven-furlong Malibu (G1) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita.

Trainer Ken McPeek also trains invitee Rattle N Roll. Lucky Seven Stable's Rattle N Roll won the 2021 Breeders' Futurity (G1) and four graded-stakes in 2023 including the historic Pimlico Special (G3). The 5-year-old raced only twice in 2024, finishing tird in the Lukas Classic (G2) off a year layoff and winning the 1 1/8-mile Clark (G2) Nov. 29.

Joe Peacock Jr. homebred Senor Buscador is the richest of the Pegasus invitees with more than $12.9 million in purse earnings from 23 starts, highlighted by a head victory in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) last February. The win came after the 6-year-old rallied to be second by a neck behind National Treasure in the Pegasus.

FMQ Stables' Saudi Crown won the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) in 2023 after being beaten a nose in the Dwyer (G3) and Jim Dandy (G2). Third to Senor Buscador in the Saudi Cup, he won the Louisiana (G3) to open 2024 and most recently rebounded from a 13th in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) to capture the 1 1/16-mile Tenacious Dec. 21 at Fair Grounds.

C2 Racing Stable, Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Antonio Pagnano's White Abarrio won the 2022 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream and 2023 Whitney (G1) at Saratoga, both going 1 1/8 miles, and 1 ¼-mile Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in 2023. Eighth in the 2023 Pegasus, he has raced twice since returning to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., both sprinting seven furlongs, winning Nov. 22 allowance by 10 ¼ lengths and rallying from far back to be second in the Dec. 28 Mr. Prospector (G3).

Joseph is also represented by Daniel Alonso's $3.09 million earner Skippylongstocking, who is aiming for his third straight Pegasus World Cup after running seventh in 2023 and being pulled up after six furlongs in 2024. He rebounded from that to win the Challenger (G3), Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and Charles Town Classic (G2) and owns three wins at Gulfstream including the 2022 Harlan's Holiday (G3).

Eric Waller and Sharon Waller's Stronghold, by Hall of Famer Ghostzapper, exits consecutive runner-up finishes in the Indiana Derby (G3), Pennsylvania Derby and Malibu (G1), the latter Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, for trainer Phil D'Amato. He ran seventh to Mystik Dan in the Kentucky Derby, earning his way there with a neck triumph in the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, seeking his second Pegasus World Cup victory following Life Is Good in 2022, is represented by invitees Crupi and Locked. Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's Crupi ran third in 2024, beaten 4 ½ lengths at odds of 34-1, and has banked nearly $1.7 million lifetime with his lone graded win coming in the 2024 Suburban (G2).

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm's Locked, on the verge of millionaire status, has raced just six times with four wins including the 2023 Breeders' Futurity (G1) and a last-out triumph in the Cigar Mile (G2) Dec. 7 at Aqueduct. It was the second straight win in one of only two 2024 starts following a third-place finish to champion stablemate Fierceness in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1).

Calumet Farm's Mixto earned his Grade 1 credentials winning the 1 ¼-mile Pacific Classic Aug. 31 at Del Mar at odds of 22-1. Eleventh in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), he returned to be third by a length in the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver (G3) Nov. 23 at Del Mar, his most recent start.

No trainer has more Pegasus wins than Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who had success with National Treasure (2024), Mucho Gusto (2020) and Arrogate (2017), who set a track record of 1:46.83 in the inaugural edition. This year's candidate is SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Robert Masterson, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan and Tom Ryan's Imagination, beaten a neck as the favorite in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) after winning the San Felipe (G2). Most recently he ran third in the Malibu.

Rounding out the main invitation list is Purple Rein Racing's J B Strikes Back, Mixto's Doug O'Neill-trained stablemate that put together three consecutive wins to end 2024 capped by a 1 ¼-length triumph in the 1 1/16-mile Laffit Pincay Jr. (G2) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, his first try at two turns.

Leading the list of alternates are millionaires Newgrange, unraced since a fifth in the July 27 San Diego Handicap (G2), and three-time graded-stakes winner Red Route One; 4-year-old filly Power Squeeze, winner of the 2024 Alabama (G1) at Saratoga; Rocket Can, whose four wins include the 2023 Holy Bull (G3) and Dec. 21 Harlan's Holiday (G3) at Gulfstream; Native Diver winner Skinner; 2024 Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) winner Steal Sunshine; Tumbarumba, winner of the Fred Hooper (G3) on the Pegasus 2024 undercard; and Cooke Creek.

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