Happy Pegasus Day! 

Today we seven graded stakes at Gulfstream Park led by the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational. This is the first big day on the 2025 calendar and we have big competitive fields. 

Trivia Question: Which trainer has the most wins in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational? 

Race 12 – The Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational  Stakes – Grade I 

One Mile and a Furlong on the Turf for Four Year Olds and Upward  

1. Siege of Boston: Six year old War Front colt who hasn’t won in eighteen months but has picked up the pieces in several Grade 3 events. Ran well enough last out in the Ft. Lauderdale finishing an up close fifth after being blocked (94 Beyer). Will need a move forward.
2. Formidable Man: Ships in from SoCal to take on the big boys. Is on a three race win streak punctuated by a win in the Grade I Hollywood Derby (91 Beyer). Likes to be on or near the pace. and this is his preferred distance. Water it too deep.
3. Mi Hermano Ramon: California invader had a nice Fall campaign with two seconds and a win (Seabiscuit 99 Beyer). Figs are right there and he was a close second behind Johannes in the San Gabriel (100 Beyer). Speed figs are on the improve. Trainer Mark Glatt has not done well traveling. Small shot.
4. Win for the Money: Mohayman colt runs here off a decent second place finish in the local prep, the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (96 Beyer) where he got to lead in the stretch but was run down. Three back he as great in the Grade I Woodbine Mile (102 Beyer). Contender if we get his best.
5. Integration: Won the Red Smith going longer at the Big A in his most recent start (101 Beyer) and has won three times at nine furlongs. Was a close up fifth in this race last year. Regularly runs triple digit Beyers. Underneath.
6. Major Dude: Won the Ft. Lauderdale (97 Beyer) where he was bottled up but once he got in the clear he was the best. Has hit the exacta in all three nine furlong turf starts. Irad stays in the saddle. Can he repeat that last effort? But even if he does, it won’t be enough. Lean against.
7. Nations Pride: Winner of the Arlington Million (103 Beyer) runs here after he was poor in the Bahrain International for the second year in a row. Might be better going longer, but he’s plenty tactical. William Buick ships in form the U.K. to ride – that’s a positive signal. If Appleby has him running here – he is ready to go. The Pick.
8. Spirit of St. Louis: Chad Brown trainee is nine for thirteen while primarily running against New York breds. Water is deeper here and will need to improve – but it’s Chad so nothing would surprise. He’s plenty quick and should be up in the first group. Win machine. Hits the board.
9. Balnikhov: Phil D’Amato trainee is a consistent performer and regularly hits the board with his last win coming in the Dinner Party on Preakness Day (97 Beyer). He should get some pace to run into. Exotics.
10. 10. Battle of Normandy: Runs here with a four race win streak on the line. His last performance may have been his best in the Grade 3 River City Stakes as he pressed the leader and then kicked clear when asked (98 Beyer).  Faces a much saltier group today.
11. Grand Sonata: Won the Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs at a price and that led to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Turf where he has no impact. Came back in the Ft. Lauderdale as a prep for today and had a nice rail trip but lacked a kick in the final furlong (94 Beyer). Passing.
12. Chasing the Crown: Has found most of his success on the Churchill turf course where he looks like a different animal. Hasn’t had the same success at Gulfstream. Not today.
13. Fort Washington: AE Consistent performer for Shug with Beyers in the mid-90s but the last win was in the Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes last summer. Decent Grade 2, Grade 3 type.  Would be a surprise.
14. Paros: AE Four wins in four starts since Mike Maker claimed this back in July – with three of those wins on the grass. Won an overnight stake at Turfway on the poly last out where he came off the pace (94 Beyer). Makes a major class jump today. Small chance for a piece if he can work a trip from the outside. Could fill out a superfecta.

Picks 7-8-3-5 

Race 13 – The Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes – Grade I 

One Mile and a Furlong on the Dirt for Four Year Olds and Upward   

1. Mixto: Has only won twice in sixteen career starts – a maiden race and the Pacific Classic (100 Beyer). That longshot win in the Pac Classic earned him a start in the BC Classic where he had no impact. The Pacific Classic looks like a one-off performance. Looking elsewhere.
2. Saudi Crown: Won the Tenacious Stakes at the Fairgrounds as a prep for this race (103 Beyer).  When he is at his best he is tough – but there are misfires as well. Looks to be rounding into form but Lasix comes OFF. Should get a front end rail trip. Needs to get nine furlongs Using.
3. Newgrange: Six year old runs here off a six month layoff with his last start occurring way back in June. He has alot of layoff lines and recently had a month break in timed works. Up against it.
4. White Abarrio: This is one of the more enigmatic horses in training. He won the Whitney and BC Classic but hasn’t shown a ton over the past year.  He’s back in Saffie Joseph’s barn and White Abarrio loves this track. Working great. Can the magic get rekindled? Maybe – but the price is short and he needs to break better than he has been. Fade.
5. Crupi: Finished fifth in this race year and while he won the Suburban last Spring, he has been relegated to picking the pieces. Two best performances have been on a wet track. He’ll be coming late. Bottom side of Superfectas.
6. Stronghold: Was a good second in the Malibu Stakes last month (102 Beyer) and now stretches back out while taking on elders for the first time. Won the Santa Anita Derby at today’s nine furlongs and appears to be a new four year old on the improve. Has been in the exacta in nine of ten starts. Could trip out as he can sit just off the pace and move when asked. The Pick.
7. Steal Sunshine: Locally based Constitution colt has six wins over this track including an optional claimer in November and the Gulfstream Park Mile last March. Has not won in four tries at todays’ nine furlongs and he faces a massive a big test. Passing.
8. Vitality: Canadian bred came south after winning the Prince of Wales Stakes in September at Fort Erie but hasn’t shown much. Had a tough trip two back and then failed to fire in the Harlan’s Holiday last month over this track. Not fast enough.
9. Mystik Dan: The 2024 Derby winner was strangely sent out to Santa Anita to run in the seven furlong Malibu in December and then promptly laid an egg. That was his first start since a no show in the Belmont Stakes. Appears totally out of form. I don’t see it. 
10. Skippylongstocking: Runs here off a three month layoff.  Was no competition on the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in his last effort. Does best up close to the lead and may well set the pace as he will sent from this post. His best can win here. Small slice.
11. Locked: Talented and lightly raced Pletcher trainee won the Cigar Mile against elders in his last start when he came from off the pace and got rolling late (100 Beyer). That was his second race off a layoff and he comes back here off a two month freshening. Has shown adaptability with wins over three different tracks. Too short a price given this tough outside post. Underlay.
12. Power Squeeze: Filly takes on the boys off a nice three year old season where she won the Alabama and Delaware Oaks. She’ll need to show a big improvement to contend but she is nowhere near close to fast enough. Passing.

Picks 6-2-5-10 

All Stakes Pick 4 R10: 1,3,10 R11: 2,7,9 R12: 3,5,7,8 R13: 2,6 Ticket price $36 

Trivia Answer: Bob Baffert has won the Pegasus World Cup Invitational three times (2017, 2020, 2024) His most recent win was last year with National Treasure.