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| Staff Writer |
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Locked has been installed as favourite for Saturday's Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park, despite being handed an awkward draw in stall 11. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt, who impressed when landing the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, faces 11 rivals in the US$3m contest.
White Abarrio, winner of the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic, has been drawn favourably in stall four for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. The 5YO, partnered by Irad Ortiz Jr, has had two seven-furlong outings since rejoining Joseph's yard following a disappointing run in the Gr.1 Metropolitan Handicap.
Joseph's second string Skippylongstocking will break from stall 10. "White Abarrio drew well, that's where we wanted to be, between four and seven," Joseph said. "Skippy got 10, which is a whole lot better than 12 or post 13 he had in the Breeders' Cup [Dirt Mile]. We're going to take that and hopefully he can make the best of it."
The build-up was marked by the eleventh-hour withdrawal of Senor Buscador, last year's runner-up. Trainer Todd Fincher said: "He worked really well but had a scope afterwards we weren't happy with, and it's not worth trying to run a horse in a race like that if he's not 100 percent."
The gelding, who parlayed last year's second place into victory in the US$20m Saudi Cup, has been retired to stud after earning nearly US$13m from seven wins in 23 starts for owner-breeder Joe Peacock Jr.
Pletcher's second runner Crupi starts from stall five, while Gr.1 winners Mixto and Saudi Crown drew favourably in stalls one and two respectively. Power Squeeze, the sole filly in the line-up, faces a challenging task from the outside draw.
Kentucky Derby victor Mystik Dan breaks from stall nine, with Newgrange, Stronghold, Steal Sunshine, and Vitality completing the field.
The Gr.1 contest headlines a stellar 13-race card featuring the US$1m Pegasus Turf and US$500,000 Filly and Mare Turf.