HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Saudi Crown is in, Skinner is out, and Imagination remains on the fence. That was the latest update regarding the potential starting lineup for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup as of Wednesday, when the third and final invitation list for the big event was released by the Gulfstream Park racing office.
Trainer Brad Cox confirmed Wednesday morning that Grade 1 winner Saudi Crown would run, using the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus as a stepping-stone to a return trip to the $20 million Saudi Cup. Saudi Crown, who is currently stabled at Payson Park, bounced back from a poor effort in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile with a relatively easy and well-graded victory in the Tenacious Stakes at Fair Grounds in his 2024 finale. Saudi Crown finished third, beaten less than a length by Senor Buscador, in the 2024 Saudi Cup.
Skinner, coming off a victory in the Grade 3 Native Diver at Del Mar, was added to the second invitation list released a week ago, but trainer Cheri DeVaux said earlier this week she would bypass the race to run in Saturday’s Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds.
Trainer Bob Baffert said Monday he remains undecided as to whether to send Imagination, the 2024 Santa Anita Derby runner-up, to South Florida for the Pegasus, a race Baffert has won three times, including a year ago with National Treasure.
Imagination is one of four horses who have been racing regularly on the West Coast that remain potential starters in the Pegasus World Cup along with Mixto, Stronghold, and Newgrange. The last named, a three-time Grade 2 winner who replaces Skinner on the final invitation list, was transferred to trainer Jose D’Angelo’s barn from Phil D’Amato earlier this winter.
The remainder of the prospective Pegasus field includes White Abarrio, Locked, Mystik Dan, Senor Buscador, Skippylongstocking, and Crupi. The race will be drawn Sunday.
Trainer Doug O’Neill said he is excited about the prospect of running Mixto in the Pegasus and has secured the services of Frankie Dettori to ride. Mixto has only two career victories, a maiden win at Del Mar in November 2023 and the Grade 1 Pacific Classic, over the same track, in August. The Pacific Classic performance was flattered when runner-up Full Serrano came out of the race to capture the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Mixto raced in the Breeders’ Cup, finishing 11th in the Classic.
“He probably got too involved early on in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and was in a speed duel in his last start” – a third in the Native Diver – “as well,” O’Neill said. “He’s a unique horse. When he makes the lead sometimes he will wait on horses. Frankie has worked him and is looking forward to riding him. Hopefully, we draw a good post and the race unfolds in his favor.”
Shorter price on David’s Rose
David’s Rose went postward at 34-1 when upsetting the 3-5 Entrepreneurship in a first-level allowance/optional claimer restricted to Florida-bred fillies and mares here Dec. 26. The price differential at post time is certain to be a lot closer when the pair meet again under nearly identical conditions going five furlongs over the Tapeta course in Friday’s $54,000 main event that lured a field of eight, including top contenders Breezero and Amor Y Control.
David’s Rose not only returned quick dividends after being claimed for $6,250 off a one-sided, wire-to-wire victory on Dec. 6, she showed a new dimension as well in her 2024 finale. She rallied from midpack to a stunning 1 1/4-length decision over Entrepeneurship in her first start for owner Bruno Schickedanz and trainer Jose Garoffalo. She is eligible to come right back in the same spot Friday by virtue of the fact she has been entered under a $20,000 claiming tag, one of only two members of the field in for a price along with Breezero.
Entrepreneurship was the overwhelming choice in her second career start by virtue of a one-sided and well-graded maiden victory over the Tapeta course four weeks earlier. But she failed to show the same early foot against swifter competition the second time around, racing in midpack during the early stages before swinging wide and futilely chasing home David’s Rose while clearly best.
Breezero won this same event two starts back, disputing all the pace before hanging on for a neck verdict over her Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained stablemate The Dove Rules on Aug. 30. The Dove Rules flattered the effort, returning to beat the same kind with a relatively strong 81 Beyer Speed Figure in her next start.
Amor Y Control has crossed the finish line first in each of her last four starts, all against $10,000 claiming opposition, although she had her win streak snapped by the stewards after being disqualified and placed second for interference following a game nose decision over Now Showing in her most recent start.
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