HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - It was a scene few people likely noticed, and transpired just minutes after Skippylongstocking had run down stablemate White Abarrio to give trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. a one-two finish in Saturday’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational. It was a moment that for Joseph summed up not only the entire emotion-filled day, but the nearly three pressure-packed months he had endured since White Abarrio was scratched in the post parade just minutes before the start of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
Before joining the raucous winner’s circle festivities to celebrate Skippylongstocking’s first Grade 1 victory, Joseph went over to check on White Abarrio. He put his arms affectionately around the defending Pegasus World Cup champion, giving him a well-deserved atta-boy for his performance, while at the same time thanking God all was well with his horse after the race.
“My faith is so strong, I just prayed for Abarrio to come back safe after all that has transpired since he was scratched in the Breeder’s Cup,” Joseph said, while fighting back tears. “We didn’t win a race all day. But as far as I’m concerned, as long as he (White Abarrio) came back sound, it was going to be a good day. I’m obviously happy for Skippy. I love Skippy. But to see White Abarrio was safe and sound, that was a win in my eyes.”
Although he was making an unprecedented fourth consecutive start in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and entered the big event with career earnings of nearly $3.8 million, Skippylongstocking was basically overlooked going into the race by both the media and the public, who sent him postward at odds of 21-1. But Joseph had confidence in the 7-year-old son of Exaggerator exiting his victory in the Grade 3 Harlan’s Holiday four weeks ago.
With jockey Tyler Gaffalione aboard, Skippylongstocking broke well before settling near the rear of the 12-horse field, about a dozen lengths off the pacesetting Disco Time, in the run down the backstretch. Skippylongstocking commenced his bid three wide on the second turn, angled farther out while continuing to advance into the stretch, readily overtaking White Abarrio a sixteenth from the wire before edging away to a 1 3/4-length victory.
White Abarrio, who dominated the 2025 Pegasus World Cup by nearly seven lengths, made a quick run to closer contention outside horses midway through the backstretch. He wrested command from the tiring Disco Time while continuing wide exiting the final bend, briefly kicked well clear, but proved no match when challenged by his stablemate near midstretch. He was easily best of the others, finishing 5 1/2 lengths in front of the pacepressing Full Serrano, who checked in a tiring third.
Disco Time and his Brad Cox-trained stablemate Tappan Street, the 2025 Florida Derby winner, were both major disappointments. Disco Time faded badly upon relinquishing the lead, ultimately finishing eighth as the 3-2 favorite. Tappan Street was never a factor, finishing 12th and last as the 3-1 second choice.
Skippylongstocking is trained by Joseph for owner Daniel Alonso. He covered 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:48.49 (104 Beyer Speed Figure) and paid $45.20 for his 13th victory in 36 career starts.
“It’s amazing and hard to believe that at 7 years old, Skippy was doing better than ever coming into this race,” Joseph said. “The Harlan’s Holiday was a huge race for him coming off the bad effort when he was eased at Charlestown several months earlier. He had to either show up or he was going to be retired. But the way he ran that day and the way he’s trained ever since gave me a lot of confidence coming into this race. And for all he’s done during his career, he deserves a day like this.”
But, Joseph readily admitted, his entire focus before, during and after the race was on White Abarrio.
“To be honest, I never saw Skippy until he loomed at the top of the stretch,” Joseph said. “All I could watch and think about was White Abarrio. For a moment, when he turned into the stretch, it looked like he was going to win. And I couldn’t believe it. We had a major setback for three weeks around Thanksgiving. That’s why we had to skip the Mr. Prospector. He basically had no preparation coming into the race, so for him to run the way he did is amazing.”
Cox said he felt Disco Time was traveling well on the lead, but felt he was in trouble when his horse, who suffered his first loss in six lifetime starts, couldn’t get any separation in the run down the backstretch.
“He went a little faster than I thought he would, but it seemed like the others were kind of under a ride,” Cox said. “But once they straightened up, I knew he was done.”
As for Tappan Street, Cox had no explanation for his poor effort.
“His ears were pinned around the first turn, maybe he didn’t like the kickback. He just never got involved.”
Total handle on the 13-race Pegasus World Cup program was $48,558,149, the highest in the 10-year history of the event and nearly $7 million higher than the 2025 card, which was adversely affected by inclement weather.
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