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Grade 1 Pacific Classic upsetter at 22-1 for his only stakes win to date, but has 5 other graded stakes-placings in California. Makes first road trip for Kentucky Derby and Preakness-winning trainer O'Neill.
PA Derby winner from 2023 exits a win in the Tenacious at Fair Grounds to end up-and-down 2024. Son of Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming. Speedster likes to control the pace.
2-time San Pasqual winner at Santa Anita makes his first start for trainer Jose D'Angelo since leaving the Phil D'Amato barn. He's got 5 wins at the Grade 2 / Grade 3 level and seeks his first Grade 1.
The 2022 Florida Derby champ has won 6 of 8 lifetime at Gulfstream Park, but most notably captured the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar to cap a year in which he was a disappointing eighth in the Pegasus World Cup
Third in last year's Pegasus World Cup at 34-1, his '24 season included a win in Saratoga's Suburban and placings in the Brooklyn, Whitney and Woodward.
Santa Anita Derby & Sunland Park Derby winner finished 7th in the '24 Kentucky Derby, the only time out of the exacta in his career. He finished the season second in the Indiana Derby, PA Derby and Malibu and the PWC will be his first try vs. elders.
2024 Grade 2 Gulfstream Mile winner has done his best work around 1 turn. Consistent sort has finished third or fourth in each of his last 4 starts around 2 turns, including a third in the Harlan's Holiday last month. NY jockey Dylan Davis is spending his first full winter in FL.
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Stronach Stables Canadian-bred gelding won the final jewel in his nation's Triple Crown last year when taking the Prince of Wales on dirt at Fort Erie in September. That, and a maiden win, make up his resume highlights as he finished 6th in the Harlan's Holiday local prep.
Last year's Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up missed much of the second half of 2024 after an eighth-place Belmont Stakes effort. Returned disappointing 6th in the Malibu at Santa Anita sprinting.
The 2-time Charles Town Classic winner has been unplaced the past 2 years in the Pegasus World Cup. He exits a 6th-place finish in the Breeders' Cup DIrt Mile, a race that's produced several recent PWC winners.
Grade 1 winner at 2, he was beaten favorite in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile when third. Injuries derailed his Triple Crown aspirations, but he returned in October to win twice in the fall, including the Grade 2 Cigar Mile. SIre Gun Runner won the 2018 Pegasus World Cup, trainer Pletcher the '22.
Can become first filly to win the Pegasus World Cup as she takes on the boys for the first time. '24 Gulfstream Park Oaks winner was most recently second in the Rampart over this track. Her signature win came in Saratoga's Grade 1 Alabama last summer.
Last year's Grade 3 Canadian Turf narrow runner-up at Gulfstream has lost 11 straight, but has 7 second or third-place finishes during that span. Fifth last out in the Ft. Lauderdale and seeks his first career stakes win.
Son of Pegasus World Cup winner City of Light, unlike his papa, has made his hay on turf. Winner of the Oceanside, Del Mar Derby and Hollywood Derby in his last 3 starts, he'll meet elders for the first time in the PWC Turf. Trainer Michael McCarthy also conditioned sire City of Light.
Santa Anita-based performer has won the Singletary and Seabiscuit on the west coast and exits a runner-up to top US miler Johannes in the 9-furlong Grade 2 San Gabriel. Fourth or better in all 7 career stakes tries.
13-1 upsetter of the $1 million Woodbine Mile in September, he exits a narrow third as the favorite in Gulfstream's Dec. 21 Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale Stakes. Won the '24 listed Mr. Steele Stakes over this course.
Close-up fifth last year as the favorite in the PWC Turf, he gets a shot at redemption off of his Nov. 9 win in the Red Smith at Aqueduct. Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey teamed with jockey Flavien Prat in the last, part of Prat's single-season all-time record for stakes wins and graded stakes wins in 2024.
Winner of Gulfstream's Kitten's Joy at age 3 and the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale last out to cap his 4-year-old season. Bid for his first Grade 1 score while posting 3 wins in his last 4 starts. Grade 2 Penn Mile winner in 2023. Trainer Pletcher won this race twice with Colonel Liam ('21-'22).
Grade 1 / Group 1 winner in the US (Arlington Million & Saratoga Derby) as well as Germany and Canada, this globetrotter in the famed Godolphin blue exits a disappointing effort in Bahrain in November. Has made US forays in '22, '23, '24 and now '25.
New York-bred won 4 of 6 last year, but was fifth in the Grade 1 Keeneland Turf Mile in October in his biggest, open-company test. Makes his Gulfstream debut for trainer Brown, who won this race with Bricks and Mortar in 2019.
The '24 DInner Party Stakes winner on Preakness Day at Pimlico exits a strong second in Del Mar's Hollywood Turf Cup on Nov. 29. Irish-bred began his career in France in 2021 before coming to the US a year later. He's won stakes at Del Mar, Keeneland, Pimlico and Golden Gate Fields.
Son of Pegasus World Cup winner City of Light has excelled on turf, winning 4 straight starts to close 2024. Scored Grade 3 River City at Churchill Downs most recently on Nov. 9. Will be making his first start on the Gulfstream turf.
Last year's $2 million Kentucky Turf Cup winner has been out of the money in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar and Gulfstream's Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale in subsequent starts. Won a pair of local turf stakes as a 3YO in 2022. Trainer Pletcher won this race twice with Colonel Liam ('21-'22).
Allowance winner Nov. 7 at Churchill Downs when last in action, he was Grade 2-placed in the Wise Dan during the '24 campaign. Bullet workout Jan. 14 as he bids for his first career stakes win.
Also-eligible. Would need a scratch in order to compete.
Also-eligible would need 2 horses to scratch in order to compete.
Irish-bred English Group 3 winner made a successful US debut when winning wire-to-wire in Del Mar's Grade 3 Goldikova Stakes on Breeders' Cup weekend. She's remained stateside and since has been transferred from Owen Burrows to Todd Pletcher in Florida.
Last year's local Grade 3 Herecomesthebride Stakes winner also added Saratoga's Grade 3 Lake George to her sophomore ledger. She'll face elders for the first time off of a runner-up try Nov. 29 in the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere at Churchill Downs. She's 2-2 for the Gulfstream grass.
Local Grade 3 Suwanee River winner Dec. 21 in the PWC FMT prep. She's won 2 straight stakes, beginning with the Nov. 10 Grade 3 Long Island at Aqueduct. Runner-up in the '23 Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks and Grade 1 American Oaks.
Rallied from 11 lengths back to win the Grade 3 Autumn Miss at Santa Anita by a nose in October. Exits a disappointing fifth of 11 in the Grade 1 American Oaks and now must have elder mares for the first time.
Fourth-place finisher in last year's PWC F&M Turf is back at age 7 looking to snap a 4-race losing streak. She won 1 of 8 last year, the Grade 3 Gallorette at Pimlico on soft turf. She's a 2-time Grade 2 winner.
Chilean-bred and raced multiple Group 1 winner makes her US debut. She's won 3 straight in her homeland between 1-1/4 miles and 1-1/2 miles, the last 2 vs. the boys. Purchased by Resolute Racing following her Nov. 1 score. PHOTO COURTESY: @jstewartrr on X
French-raced exprt won her US debut in a Keeneland allowance in October and followed that with a rallying fourth in Churchill Downs' Grade 2 Mrs. Revere. She's Group 3-placed overseas. Deep closer will require a fast pace for her best chance. PHOTO COURTESY: Keeneland/Coady
Irish export made her US debut in 2023 when second in Gulfstream's Herecomesthebride and followed with a Grade 2 Appalachian win at Keeneland. She's just 1-for-12 since, including a pair of GP runners-up, most recently the Dec. 21 Grade 3 Suwanee River.
Grade 3 Noble Damsel winner at Aqueduct in September, she also was a listed stakes winner at Gulfstream in May. Exits a third-place finish Dec. 21 in the Grade 3 Suwanee River local prep and has excelled over the GP lawn.
Grade 1 Matriarch winner at Del Mar when last seen December 1 pulling a 12-1 upset. Third to Pegasus World Cup FMT rival Raqiya in Del Mar's Goldikova Stakes prior. Runner-up in the 2023 Gulfstream Park Oaks and G1 CCA Oaks at Saratoga.
South African-bred and raced export won the Group 2 Gold Bracelet in 2023 and was third in that year's prestigious Group 1 Durban July vs. the boys. Purchased and sent to America last spring, but didn't race until a rallying sixth with a tough trip in the Dec. 21 Grade 3 Suwanee River local PWC FMT prep.
Irish-bred, French-raced export was a stakes winner overseas and highly competitive in the Group 1 French One Thousand Guineas last spring. She came to Clement's barn in New York last fall and finished sixth in the Grade 3 Pebbles. She won Gulfstream's Tropical Park Oaks Dec. 14 in her first local lap and now takes on elders for the first time.
Also-eligible would require a scratch in order to compete.
Also-eligible would require 2 scratches in order to compete.
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WHITE ABARRIO
SAUDI CROWN
LOCKED
MYSTIK DAN
STRONGHOLD
LOCKED
WHITE ABARRIO
SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING
WHITE ABARRIO
LOCKED
SAUDI CROWN
POWER SQUEEZE
WHITE ABARRIO
LOCKED
SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING
MIXTO
LOCKED
WHITE ABARRIO
SAUDI CROWN
POWER SQUEEZE
WHITE ABARRIO
STRONGHOLD
SAUDI CROWN
LOCKED
WHITE ABARRIO
LOCKED
SAUDI CROWN
SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING
LOCKED
SAUDI CROWN
WHITE ABARRIO
STRONGHOLD
STRONGHOLD
WHITE ABARRIO
LOCKED
SAUDI CROWN
WHITE ABARRIO
LOCKED
SAUDI CROWN
POWER SQUEEZE
LOCKED
SAUDI CROWN
WHITE ABBARIO
MIXTO
NEWGRANGE
LOCKED
WHITE ABARRIO
SAUDI CROWN
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SCENE SETTER: Upgraded to Grade 2 status prior to last year’s running, the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf has made a rapid ascension in its three editions. The 2025 renewal rematches several runners from the December 21 Suwanee River Stakes, won by the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained BE YOUR BEST. Millionaire earner FLUFFY SOCKS looks to improve on her fourth-place effort in this race a year ago for Chad Brown. RAQIYA went wire-to-wire in her US debut at Del Mar on the Breeders’ Cup undercard for Todd Pletcher and was a Group 3 winner at Goodwood before departing the UK. DONA CLOTA won 3 straight in her native Chile prior to coming to America for trainer Ignacio Correas, who won this race with fellow South American export Didia a year ago.
NOTES:
Favorites have won 42% in Gulfstream turf stakes races over the past year with an average winner 5-1 odds.
Pricey runners-up Alms (19-1 in 2022) and Surprisingly (26-1 in 2024) have been exacta boosters in this race.
Half-mile splits in this race have been 48.03, 47.42 and 48.62 (average 48.02).
The Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf has averaged 9.7 starters per race over its three editions.
The Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf was contested as the Marshua’s River Stakes prior to 2022.
SCENE SETTER: Godolphin’s NATIONS PRIDE has bagged nearly $3.5 million globe-trotting for Charlie Appleby, winning the Arlington Million at Colonial and the Canadian International at Woodbine in recent seasons. Trainer Shug McGaughey had last year’s beaten favorite INTEGRATION, who returns off a win in Aqueduct’s Red Smith, and adds the red-hot BATTLE OF NORMANDY, who has won 4 in a row after Churchill Downs’ River City. Well-traveled millionaire BALNIKHOV won the Dinner Party Stakes on Preakness Day at Pimlico and was runner-up most recently in Del Mar’s Hollywood Turf Cup. MAJOR DUDE won the Grade 2 Lort Lauderdale last out for Todd Pletcher and has scored 3 of his last 4. Mark Casse-trained Woodbine Mile 13-1 upsetter WIN FOR THE MONEY has lived up to his name.
NOTES:
The Pegasus World Cup Turf has boasted fields of 12 the past 5 years after 10 in the inaugural.
The mare Warm Heart set a new Gulfstream course record for 1-1/8 miles on turf in beating the boys last year in 1:44.45.
Irad Ortiz Jr. has won this race 4 of its 6 years and was a close second here a year ago at 14-1 odds.
No winner of the PWC Turf has been more than 4-1/2 lengths off the lead after any official point of call.
The Pegasus World Cup Turf was contested as the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap prior to 2019.
SCENE SETTER: Five Breeders’ Cup champions and a Preakness winner have visited the Pegasus World Cup winner’s circle in its 8-year history. The ninth renewal matches 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner WHITE ABARRIO and 2024 Kentucky Derby winner MYSTIK DAN in a matchup dripped in recent history. Both were defeated in sprint preps and will look to rebound versus a deep cast that includes Grade 2 Cigar Mile winner LOCKED, a son of 2018 PWC hero Gun Runner, who could go favored while aiming for a fifth win in his last 6 starts. Multi-millionaire veterans SENOR BUSCADOR (second in last year’s PWC), SAUDI CROWN and SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING have danced many of the big dances around the world.
NOTES:
All 8 winners of this race were within 2 lengths of the lead after the opening half-mile.
Four straight editions have had at least 1 horse 26-1 or higher in the trfifecta.
At least one California-based horse has been in the Pegasus World Cup trifecta each of its 8 editions.
Favorites less than 3-2 odds are 4-for-4 in this race, and 1-for-4 when that price or over.
The Pegasus World Cup was contested as the Donn Handicap prior to 2017.
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1 - MIXTO:
Summary: Has consistent graded stakes performances and solid speed figures.
Outlook: Could be competitive if pace suits his preference for mid-pack stalking.
2 - SAUDI CROWN:
Summary: Strong performances in top-tier races with multiple wins.
Outlook: Solid contender with proven track record against top competition.
3 - NEWGRANGE:
Summary: Solid contender with proven track record against top competition.
Outlook: Could stay competitive if race conditions are favorable.
4 - WHITE ABARRIO:
Summary: Top-tier performer with several high-class victories.
Outlook: Expected to contend based on past winning form at similar distances.
5 - CRUPI:
Summary: Strong finish in recent graded events; can close well.
Outlook: If pace collapses, could make a late run from behind.
6 - STRONGHOLD:
Summary: Performed well in recent races, shows strong pace.
Outlook: A strong front-running type with potential to hold on.
7 - STEAL SUNSHINE:
Summary: Has shown capability at this distance previously.
Outlook: May factor in if able to recreate best form in deeper field.
8 - VALIDITY:
Summary: Ran well in allowance races; untested in Graded Stakes.
Outlook: An outside chance but needs improvement against higher competition.
9 - MYSTIK DAN:
Summary: Classic winner with proven track record on big days.
Outlook: Expected to be prominent if bouncing back from recent efforts.
10 - SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING:
Summary: Consistent in graded races, solid past performances.
Outlook: Capable of running well if leveraging previous experience.
11 - LOCKED:
Summary: Shows impressive early speed and recent wins.
Outlook: A possible leading contender if controlling pace effectively.
12 - POWER SQUEEZE:
Summary: Recent stakes victories; improving form.
Outlook: Filly with dark horse potential to surprise based on last race.
RACE OUTLOOK
The Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes is a prestigious Grade 1 race held over 1 1/8 miles on dirt. With a remarkable purse of $3,000,000, it attracts top-notch competition. The race should see a mix of early speed from contenders like Locked and Skippylongstocking aiming to set a strong pace, while closers like Crupi and White Abarrio posturing for a late run. Saudi Crown and Newgrange emerge as solid mid-pack runners, likely posing significant threats throughout. Longshots such as Vitality and Steal Sunshine would need to leap up in form to factor into the top finishers, providing potential surprises if the race's dynamics shift unexpectedly.
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