A number of runners pointing to next Saturday's $16-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational put in their final works for the world's richest race Saturday.
Champion Stellar Wind (Curlin), acquired by the Coolmore partners for $6 million at Keeneland November and turned over to trainer Chad Brown, covered four furlongs at Palm Meadows training center in :49.75 (41/82)–one day before she was originally scheduled to breeze.
“I moved her up a day because there is a slight chance of rain tomorrow,” Brown said. “I didn't want to take a chance. All of her serious works are done. She just went an easy half-mile today to stretch her legs. I feel like she is fit enough and good enough to run a good race next week.”
Stellar Wind's breeze came in company with unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Mask (Tapit), who dominated the Mucho Macho Man S. Jan. 6 and appears a major Triple Crown trail contender.
“I thought she sat there, perched outside of him, really comfortable and galloped out well within herself,” Brown said. “We weren't trying to gain anything this morning, just maintaining her where we are into the race, sound and happy… She came back bucking and squealing and happy. For her, at this time, that's what I wanted.”
Margoth's MGSW Gunnevera (Dialed In) stretched his legs at his Gulfstream Park West home base, getting five panels in 1:01 (4/31).
“He worked very, very good,” conditioner Antonio Sano said. “He worked in company with Cometin (Trappe Shot) and galloped out very good. I'm so excited for my horse to run in the race.”
Jorge Navarro's pair of Pegasus runners–Sharp Azteca (Freud) and War Story (Northern Afleet)–also drilled at GPW. The former got the five-furlong bullet of 31 spins with a :58 4/5 clocking, while War Story went the same distance in 1:01.80 (11/31).
Efren Loza, Jr. trainee Fear the Cowboy (Cowboy Cal), last seen annexing the GIII Harlan's Holiday S. Dec. 16, breezed at Oakridge Training Center in Ocala, covering five furlongs in 1:02 flat (1/3).
Stronach homebred Singing Bullet (Hard Spun), who may take the last of 12 Pegasus slots, went in 1:01.77 (18/40) over the Gulfstream main track. He was most recently fourth in a local optional claimer Dec. 29.
“He worked very well,” trainer Dale Romans said. “He went off the first eighth a little slower than I wanted but he finished up great and galloped out great. He's been doing very well since he got here. The last race was a throw out. He came stumbling out of the gate and just had no chance to catch up.”
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