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| Sumita Pawar |
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Gulfstream Park has finalized its invitation list and will be issuing the final list on Wednesday for the three Pegasus World Cup races scheduled later this month. The races include the Gr.1, US$3 million Pegasus World Cup, the US$1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf, and the US$500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Gr.2 Mare Turf.
Here are the latest invitees for the three races, along with a list of those on the reserve invitation list:
Invitees for the Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational (1 1/8 miles, +4Yos) include First Mission, who won the Gr.3 Lexington in April, was sidelined by an ankle injury and returned to win an optional-claiming allowance in October, then lost in the Gr.2 Clark by a nose to Trademark, also expected here. According to trainer Brad Cox, "He's a great work horse," and has continued to train well in preparation for the Pegasus. Cox is confident that First Mission is ready for a big run in his first race of the year.
Saudi Crown, National Treasure, Skippylongstocking,, Hoist the Gold, Dynamic One, and Grand Aspen. The reserve invitations for the same race are headlined by Castle Chaos, Crupi, Nimitz Class, Ny Traffic, Red Route One, Steal Sunshine, Wizard of Westwood. Although the 4YO son of Quality Road has been nominated for the Gr.1 Saudi Cup, co-owner Tom Ryan of SF Racing has confirmed that the 2023 Preakness Stakes’ winner’s next start will be at the Pegasus.
The list of invitees for the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (1 1/8 miles, +4Yos) is headlined by Integration who comes into this race undefeated in three starts as a 3YO for trainer Shug McGaughey. After breaking his maiden, he took the Gr.3 Virginia Derby at Colonial and the Gr.2 Hill Prince at Aqueduct to round out the season while the reserve list includes Anglophile, Cellist, Grand Sonata, and I’m Very Busy.
Queen Goddess is looking for her first victory by reclaiming her crown in the Gr.2 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (1 1/16 miles (turf), fillies and mares, +4Yos). Other invitees include Ruby Nell, Fluffy Socks, Full Count Felicia, and Star Fortress while the reserve invitees are headlined by Be My Sunshine, Cairo Consort, Chili Flag, Join the Dance, Sister Lou Ann, Sparkle Blue, Sweet Dani Girl, and Tass.