Major Dude

The Pegasus World Cup card, to be held Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park, continued to take shape in Florida as several contenders turned in works Friday, including GII Red Smith Stakes winner Cugino (Twirling Candy), who is pointing to the $1-million GI Pegasus World Cup Turf. The West Point Thoroughbreds and Jimmy Kahig Racing colorbearer breezed a half-mile in :49.11 (5/18) on Gulfstream's main track. He was last seen finishing second to Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper) in the GIII Fort Lauderdale Stakes Dec. 20, the local Pegasus Turf prep. "No shame...

Out of action since his case of thumps in the GII Charles Town Classic Aug. 22, 6-year-old Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) returns to Gulfstream Park Saturday to contest the GIII Harlan's Holiday Stakes. Having started each of his last four campaigns in Florida for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., the fan favorite, who won this same race in front-running style as a 3-year-old in 2022, gets back on track after an eventful summer where he ran seventh to Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the GI Whitney Stakes before fading from the lead on...

A few hours after Segesta (Ghostzapper) provided trainer Chad Brown with record ninth victory in the GIII WinStar Matchmaker Stakes, Klaravich Stables' Redistricting (GB) (Kingman {GB}) gave the conditioner a sixth victory in the GII United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park, allowing him to equal the record held by the legendary MacKenzie Miller. Sent off the 13-10 favorite to build upon a facile five-length success in the Listed Monmouth Stakes over nine furlongs on June 14, the 140,000gns Tattersalls October yearling was beaten for speed in this 11-furlong affair and...

Traffic trouble proved to be no problem for Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro), who muscled his way to the lead and went on to becoming racing's newest millionaire in the GII Ft. Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Despite winning twice this season in the lead up to this race, Major Dude had been rounding into his best form to date. When he won last out Oct. 10 at Keeneland against allowance company, his two-length victory was given a 96 Beyer and his effort July 20 at Saratoga against optional claimers garnered...

If a Saturday of racing under palm trees and warm, sunny skies sounds just like something on your holiday wish list, look no further than Gulfstream Park's Pegasus Preview Day with three graded stakes on offer ahead of January's main event, the Pegasus World Cup Invitational held Jan. 25. On the dirt, a trio of 3-year-olds will face older horses in the 1 1/16-mile GIII Harlan's Holiday Stakes. Spendthrift Farm's Tuscan Sky (Vino Rosso), who won three of his first five starts including a 6 3/4-length romp in the Pegasus...

Spendthrift Farm LLC's Tuscan Sky (Vino Rosso) was among several horses Saturday morning tuning up for Pegasus World Cup Preview card held next Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, the 3-year-old breezed a half-mile at Palm Beach Downs in preparation for the GIII Harlan's Holiday Stakes, a prep for the $3 million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Jan. 25 at Gulfstream. Tuscan Sky, who is coming off a runner-up finish in the Discovery Stakes at Aqueduct Nov. 3, turned in the fastest clocking (:47.89) at...

Spendthrift Farm's MGSW Major Dude (3, c, Bolt d'Oro--Mary Rita, by Distorted Humor) showed his class, overcoming a bit of trouble to gut out victory in the GII Penn Mile S. at Penn National Friday evening. The 2-5 choice looked to bobble slightly coming out of the gate before assuming a tracking spot behind the :23.17 and :47.85 fractions carved out by Recruiter (Army Mule). Tucked in third on the inside, Major Dude made an initial move on the backstretch, easing to within a neck shy of the front before...

Spendthrift Farm's duo of GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby winner Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo) and GII Jeff Ruby Steaks runner-up Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro) had their penultimate works prior to Kentucky Derby Day when they each breezed five furlongs in 1:00.80 Thursday morning at Churchill Downs. The duo clipped through opening eighth-mile fractions of :12.60, :24.40 and :36.20. They galloped out together through six furlongs in 1:13.40. "I think people gave Kingsbarns a discount because of the time of the Louisiana Derby," Spendthrift Farm President Eric Gustavson said. "I don't think you...

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Forte (Violence) returned to training Friday morning for his last local work before shipping to Louisville to begin final preparations for the GI Kentucky Derby. Working in company with Bright Future, a 4-year-old son of Curlin, the Derby favorite went a half-mile in :50.28 at Palm Beach Downs for trainer Todd Pletcher, according to Mike Welsch of DRF. "With Forte we were just looking for a nice, easy first work back. He ran in the Florida Derby 13 days ago and...

While the first Saturday in May is still six weeks away, the trail to the GI Kentucky Derby reaches its boiling point in New Orleans Saturday with the conclusion of the Fair Grounds prep series--the GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby. One of a pair of Derby points races happening within 20 minutes of one another Saturday, the Louisiana Derby offers 100-40-30-20-10 points and all but guarantees the winner a slot in the gate at Churchill Downs May 6. Currently 10th on the leaderboard--the highest of the runners in the field--Instant Coffee...

Spendthrift Farm's Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro) sat a midfield trip and worked home best of all to record a second victory at the graded level in Saturday's GIII Kitten's Joy S. at Gulfstream Park. Settled in about fifth position early as fellow 10-1 chances Dude N Colorado (GB) (Uncle Mo) and Boppy O (Bolt d'Oro) eyeballed each other through reasonable fractions, Major Dude dropped down onto the fence with about a half-mile to race and traveled well within the grasp of the in-form Irad Ortiz, Jr. as they raced around...

Unbeaten sensation and guaranteed GI Breeders' Cup Classic favorite Flightline (Tapit) put in his final prep for the World Championships at Keeneland Saturday. The 'TDN Rising Star' covered five furlongs solo in 1:00.60 (4/62) shortly after 7:30 a.m. under assistant trainer Juan Leyva. "I told Juan to go in a minute and change and out [seven-eighths] in 1:26, and that's what he did," trainer John Sadler said. "Juan's a great work rider. It was not about going fast today, just getting around there happy today." Flightline arrived at Keeneland Sunday...