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| Staff Writer |
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Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. acknowledges that using the Belmont Park training track as preparation for a group one stakes at Gulfstream Park is not the usual method. However, this approach appears to be effective for 8YO Master Piece, who is currently performing well in anticipation of the 27th Jan US$1 million Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes.
"The biggest thing we have picked up on with this horse is that he prefers the cooler weather," Dutrow said about the ridgling son of Mastercraftsman who joined the trainer's barn last spring. "That is why he is training where he is. It seems a bit idiotic to breeze him on the training track at Belmont for a grass race in Florida, but it makes sense to him. He is probably the happiest horse in the stable only because White Abarrio is in California. He is shining like a penny."
On 15th January, Master Piece had an effortless run of five furlongs, clocking in at 1:03.50 at Belmont. Since the beginning of this year, he has undergone a few maintenance sessions, running four furlongs in :50.45 on 1st January and another four furlongs in :49.90 on 9th January. The current plan is to transport the horse to South Florida on 24th January.
"We will keep him in very light training and hope that what we've done, what we've tried to manage, works out in his favor," the trainer said. "It is not hot in Florida, I've been watching, and it is mild-ish weather, but it is better for him to be training up here."
According to reports, Master Piece was bred by Haras Don Alberto, sired out of Torre Laguna, who was the 2012 Chilean champion older mare. In Chile, the horse won the Gran Clasico Coronacion Pablo Baraona U. Stakes and secured third place in the Gr.1 El Derby before he was transferred to the United States. Later, under the guidance of trainer Michael McCarthy, Master Piece claimed victory in the 2022 Gr.2 Eddie Read Stakes held at Del Mar.
Following his success, the horse was sold multiple times, changed trainers, and finally landed with Dutrow in May 2023. As the temperature dropped, Dutrow noticed that Master Piece's training sessions were improving.
"Before he ran (last out), the weather started changing and so did he; he's just been getting better and better," he said.
Master Piece is all set to participate in the Pegasus Turf after a remarkable win on 11th Nov in the Gr.2 Red Smith Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack over Soldier Rising by a neck. Jose Lezcano, who rode Master Piece in the Red Smith win, will also be in the saddle for the upcoming Pegasus Turf.
The race is expected to be more challenging, but Master Piece seems to have an advantage as he has won three out of four starts at the 1 1/8 miles distance which is run in the Pegasus Turf. Although he was unplaced in last year's Pegasus Turf at Gulfstream Park, he has performed well in other races such as the Gr.2 Mac Diarmida Stakes and Pan Gr.2 American Stakes, where he secured third places.
"I still don't know him well enough, but we are feeling really good about watching him run big," said Dutrow. "We are getting our judgment from him, and he is throwing all kinds of signs. He has to get over the plane trip. If that does not affect him, then we are hoping he will run the way he has been training following a big run the last time. We are excited about this. He's really a fun horse to train; he's a beauty."
On 10th January, Master Piece made it to the list of twelve horses invited to participate in the Pegasus Turf. The connections have confirmed their intent to run on 14th January, and the final field will be published on 17th January. The list includes some notable horses such as Atone, who won last year's Pegasus Turf, Catnip, who was the runner-up in the Gr.1 United Nations Stakes, Integration, an undefeated group two winner, Shirl's Speight, who secured second place in the Gr.1 Woodbine Mile, Webslinger, a group two winner who recently came second in the Gr.1 Hollywood Derby, and Warm Heart, a multiple group one winner in England and France, who came second in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.