Morning line 5-2 favorite Locked (Gun Runner) drew post 11 for Saturday's GI Pegasus World Cup during Sunday's draw at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Todd Pletcher on behalf of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm, the winner of last month's GI Cigar Mile has a single horse to his outside, that being the sole filly in the field, GI Alabama heroine Power Squeeze (Union Rags), who was given a 30-1 chance on the morning line.
“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 of Locked. “He's been training really, really well so we're excited about it.”
One of two representatives for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., White Abarrio (Race Day) was made the 3-1 second choice on the morning line, drawing post 4, while 9-2 third choice in the lineup, GISW Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), drew post 2 for trainer Brad Cox. Joseph's other runner is GII Charles Town Classic winner Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) (10-1), who drew post 10.
“We're very happy with him,” Joseph Jr. said of White Abarrio, who was second last time out in the GIII Mr. Prospector. “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.”
Last season's Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan (Goldencents) was given an 8-1 chance while drawing the 8-hole, while GI Santa Anita Derby victor Stronghold (Ghostzapper) drew post 6 (10-1).
“Some horses go from being a good 3-year-old to a good older horse, and that's a challenge,” said trainer Kenny McPeek of the Classic winner. “Will he transcend from a very good 3-year-old to a very good 4-year-old? The [GI Malibu, Dec. 26] 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.”
Rounding out the 12-horse field: Mixto (post 1, 10-1); Newgrange (post 3, 20-1); Crupi (post 5, 15-1); Steal Sunshine (post 7, 30-1), Vitality (post 8, 50-1).
Pegasus Turf, Filly & Mare Turf Draw Salty Company
Grade I turf contests tend to draw some heavy hitters and it looks to be no different Saturday for the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational with Godolphin's globetrotting star, multiple Group/Grade I winner Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) headlining a field of 12 rivals for the seventh running. Made the 2-1 morning line favorite after drawing post seven in the middle of the gate, he's facing five millionaires and three Grade I-winners, but the Charlie Appleby camp remains supremely confident in their charge.
“He's a fantastic horse. He's a four-time Grade 1 winner in Canada, America and Germany. He's a very classy horse,” Appleby's assistant trainer Chris Connett said. “Probably his two poorest runs have been in Bahrain when he's gone for the big race out there. But if you overlook those runs, he's ultra consistent.”
“He ran in some nice races. He was [third], first time up to Silver Knot [in the GII Man o' War]. Then he went on and won the Arlington Million. He's a high-end horse. This trip will be ideal.”
Todd Pletcher will try for an unprecedented third win in the Pegasus Turf by sending out MGSW Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro) and MGSW Grand Sonata (Medaglia d'Oro). The former in post six is 6-1 while the latter is 20-1 from post 11.
“They've both shown an affinity for the course, so that's encouraging,” Pletcher said. “Major Dude is coming off a big effort in the Fort Lauderdale, and hopefully that will prove to be the perfect prep to set him up for this.”
“[Grand Sonata] had the big win at Kentucky Downs. In the Breeders' Cup he got into a little bit of traffic, but bounced back with a really good effort in the Fort Lauderdale.”
From the rail to the outside, the field is as follows: Siege of Boston (20-1), Formidable Man (15-1), Mi Hermano Ramon (8-1), Win for the Money (12-1), Integration (3-1), Major Dude (6-1), Nations Pride (Ire) (2-1), Spirit of St Louis (20-1), Balnikhov (Ire) (15-1), Battle of Normandy (20-1), Grand Sonata (20-1), Chasing the Crown (20-1). Also-Eligible: Fort Washington, Paros.
Also drawn was the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational with MGSW & MGISP Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}) sitting prominently on the board for trainer Chad Brown as the 5-1 third choice on the morning line. Tabbed as one of the favorites from post five, the 7-year-old will be making her 31st lifetime start and a 24th at the graded level.
“She has been a very consistent horse for us, a barn favorite,” said Brown. “When she is on her game and gets the right pace and fires, she can be competitive all the way to the Grade I level. We are hoping for an effort like that. It's going to come down to whether there is a fast enough pace in front of her.”
Todd Pletcher will saddle a pair of contenders for this contest as well with South African Grade 1 winner Bless My Stars (SAf) (Gimmethegreenlight {Aus}) and 4-1 favorite GSW-Eng, GSW Raqiya (Ire) (Blue Point) breaking from the rail with Frankie Dettori in the irons.
Mark Casse comes into the race with a pair of live hopefuls, namely MGSW Pounce (Lookin At Lucky) and GSW& GISP Papilio (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), who is taking on a familiar face in MGSW & MGISP Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), who also makes the field.
“[Papilio] has been unlucky,” Casse said. “She was flying in her last start [GIII Suwannee River, won by Be Your Best] and got held up and had nowhere to go and then she came on again. She was probably the best horse in the race.”
From the rail to the outside, the field is: Raqiya (Ire) (4-1), Pounce (15-1), Be Your Best (Ire) (6-1), Watchtower (20-1), Fluffy Socks (5-1), Dona Clota (Chi) (15-1), Minoushka (GB) (10-1), Papilio (Ire) (8-1), Ocean Club (15-1), Sacred Wish (9-2), Bless My Stars (SAf) (8-1), See Your Around (Ire) (20-1). Also-Eligibles: In Our Time, De Regreso.
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