Friday's Pegasus Trackside Report

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL.–With the two Pegasus races just around the corner, the Gulfstream backstretch was busier than usual with owners, trainers and plenty of media from around the world on site to get their final looks at the GI Pegasus World Cup and GI Pegasus World Cup Turf contenders on a cloudy and cool Friday morning.

The gloomy sky and temperatures hovering in the low 60s had many wondering if we were in for rain. While trainer Marcus Vitali's request to Siri for a weather report rendered news of a rain-free, but cloudy Friday, it also announced a 70% chance of rain for the big day Saturday. This forecast will have some connections doing a happy dance–or rain dance–and others in a mood that mirrors the weather report.

Just like Thursday morning, Audible (Into Mischief), who is already a winner over this track and trip in last term's GI Florida Derby, was first to hit the track as it opened for business with Turf runner Catapult (Kitten's Joy) not far behind. Audible put in a good run to be third in a muddy renewal of the GI Kentucky Derby, so a wet surface for the Pegasus should not faze him or trainer Todd Pletcher.

The newly crowned champion older male Accelerate (Lookin at Lucky) was also up and at 'em early despite what was surely a late night of celebrating for his trainer John Sadler and the Hronis family, who were named owner of the year at Thursday night's Eclipse Awards. Gunnevera (Dialed In) and Seeking the Soul (Perfect Soul {Ire}) followed soon after.

City of Light (Quality Road) kept to his consistent 6 a.m. training slot, as did the Chad Brown-trained pair of Patternrecognition (Adios Charlie) and Bricks and Mortar (Giant's Causeway), whose conditioner took home the hardware for top trainer for the third straight year.

In keeping with the previous day's schedule, D. Wayne Lukas led Bravazo (Awesome Again) onto the track as soon as the tractors cleared out following the first break at 7:40 a.m. The Hall of Famer was all business aboard his buckskin Quarter Horse Starbuck as he supervised his equally professional-looking charge. While not an imposing or eye-catching animal, Bravazo has his head in the game every time he steps hoof on the racetrack–whether it be the morning or afternoon–and continues to show up in each of his races no matter the competition or track conditions.

Stronach representative Something Awesome (Awesome Again) cantered by a few moments later. He also did not turn a hair at the flurry of activity, moving gracefully over the track with his neck arched, ears up and eyes bright and alert.

'TDN Rising Star' Delta Prince (Street Cry {Ire}), the final offspring of blue-hen Delta Princess (A.P. Indy), jogged counter-clockwise alongside a pony just before 8a.m. The muscular dark bay galloped by on his own a few minutes later, looking more than ready to go.

Mexican sensation Kukulkan (Mex) (Point Determined) was also out during the Pegasus frenzy. Easy to spot with a big white blaze, he is on the smaller side, but he glides easily over the Gulfstream surface and gives the impression he is both quick and agile.

Aidan O'Brien's Pegasus Turf contender Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was joined by stablemate and GIII William L. McKnight S. contender Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). The pair jogged the wrong way in unison before turning around and galloping individually in the correct direction. Magic Wand has been one of the physical standouts of the week, which is no surprise given the barn she hails from.

Recent GII San Gabriel S. victor Next Shares (Archarcharch) was on the muscle, galloping by strongly, and he fought his rider as he turned the dark bay around and attempted to pull him up. The gelding reluctantly broke to a jog, but continued to tug at his pilot as they exited the track.

True Timber (Mineshaft) continued to give off good vibes as he came by minutes later. He was followed by the Bill Mott-trained pair of Turf runners Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Channel Maker (English Channel), who were escorted by their Hall of Fame conditioner and his assistant aboard their ponies. While they both looked in fine form, Channel Maker was a bit wide-eyed, looking around somewhat nervously, while Yoshida was calm, cool and collected with and without his red roan pony.

There was plenty of activity off of the Hallandale Beach main track with the Gulfstream Park team putting in the final preparations for the big day. The LIV Stretch Stage is set, which will play host to Snoop Dogg and Mark Ronson after racing concludes and everywhere you look Pegasus barriers are set up. With nine stakes on the card, featuring three of racing's newly crowned champions and headlined by a pair of multi-million-dollar Grade Is, Saturday promises to be an exciting day of racing, rain or shine.