European Filly Favored In Pegasus World Cup Turf: A Look At The Contenders

European horses have generally performed well in American graded turf stakes, but the Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes has been an exception. In the first five runnings of the January group stakes at Gulfstream Park, American horses have emerged victorious. However, the upcoming race on Saturday could break this trend, as a European filly is currently favored in the mile and an eighth turf feature.

Here are the details of the race and the horses competing:

1. Atone: Won last year's Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational but has not won any of his six starts since then. Comes off a third-place finish in an allowance race and will need to show significant improvement to have a chance here.

Jockey: Oisin Murphy Trainer: Mike Maker

2. Jerry the Nipper: Could be a contender if the odds are favorable. Finished third by only a half-length in the Gr.2 Fort Lauderdale Stakes, the prep race for this event. Adding blinkers may help his chances.

Jockey: Jose Ortiz Trainer: Todd Pletcher

3. Integration: Will be competing against older horses in a stakes race for the first time, but won the Gr.2 Hill Prince Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack in an impressive fashion. If he replicates that performance here, he could be a major threat.

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Trainer: Shug McGaughey

4. I'm Very Busy: Finished second in the Hill Prince Stakes, so if you think Integration is a strong contender, I'm Very Busy is worth considering, especially with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. seeking his fourth consecutive win and fifth in six runnings of the race.

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Chad Brown

5. Webslinger: Has been highly consistent, finishing no worse than third in eight of his last nine starts. Was second in his last two group one starts and should be a major contender.

Jockey: Edgard Zayas Trainer: Mark Casse

6. Kingmax: Just missed winning the Fort Lauderdale at 17-1 odds. If he continues to improve, he could be a major factor in this race.

Jockey: David Egan Trainer: Jorge Delgado

7. Adhamo: Disappointed in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Turf but has finished third in two previous group one attempts. If he returns to his top form, he could be a contender.

Jockey: Flavien Prat Trainer: Chad Brown

8. Master Piece: Won the Gr.2 Red Smith Stakes at Aqueduct at 1 3/8 miles. May find the distance a bit short for his liking, but cannot be ruled out.

Jockey: Jose Lezcano Trainer: Sydney Dutrow

9. Warm Heart: This filly trained by legendary European trainer Aidan O'Brien is a definite threat to the males. She missed winning the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf by a neck and then finished third against males in the Hong Kong Vase. She has won two group one races overseas and is expected to make a strong showing.

Jockey: Ryan Moore Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

10. Shirl's Speight: Ran well in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Mile, finishing only 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner. However, he may be better suited for a mile rather than 1 1/8 miles.

Jockey: Luis Saez Trainer: Roger Attfield

11. Main Event: Won the Gr.2 Fort Lauderdale Stakes while leading from the start. May use his speed to his advantage despite starting from an outside post and could be difficult to catch if the pace is slow.

Jockey: Javier Castellano Trainer: George Weaver

12. Catnip: Has not raced since performing poorly in the Gr.1 Arlington Million Stakes. Although he has trained well for his return, his outside post position may hinder his chances.

Jockey: Frankie Dettori Trainer: Michael Stidham

13. Grand Sonata: Finished fourth in the Fort Lauderdale and can only run if there is a scratch in the field.

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Trainer: Todd Pletcher

14. Anglophile: Won the Gr.3 Dueling Grounds Derby but needs two scratches in order to compete.

Jockey: John Velazquez Trainer: Brian Lynch

Mandella's Ruby Nell Ready For Pegasus Turf

Richard Mandella, a Hall of Fame trainer, will have his first starter at Gulfstream Park since 2001 when Ruby Nell runs in the US$1 million Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Saturday. Ruby Nell is a speed filly who has won three of her last four starts, including the Lady of Shamrock Stakes on 31st Dec at Santa Anita. 

Despite facing some other speed fillies in the race, Mandella expects Ruby Nell to lead under Frankie Dettori. Mandella scratched Omaha Beach out of the 2020 Pegasus World Cup Invitational due to injury. Ruby Nell's only loss in her last four starts came in the Gr.1 Matriarch at Del Mar, where she finished fifth, two lengths behind Surge Capacity.

Can Star Fortress Repeat Success In Pegasus Turf?

Star Fortress, a 5YO Sea The Stars mare, is the morning-line favorite in a field of 12 for the US$500,000 Gr.2 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 27. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, Star Fortress put up an impressive performance in her North American debut in November at Churchill Downs, sprinting away to a 10-length victory in the Gr.3 Cardinal Stakes. 

However, she will have to face a tougher bunch at Gulfstream, including Todd Pletcher's Cairo Consort and Surprisingly, Chad Brown's Fluffy Socks and Chili Flag, and Saffie Joseph Jr.'s Accomplished Girl and Sister Lou Ann. The Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf goes as the 10th race on a 13-race card.