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| Staff Writer |
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As they entered the eighth pole, Senor Buscador had closed the gap to 2 1/2 lengths behind National Treasure. Trainer Todd Fincher felt hopeful about his chances of winning the US$3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, despite trailing by a dozen lengths earlier in the race.
However, as they approached the sixteenth pole, Fincher's confidence began to wane, and in the end, Senor Buscador had to settle for second place. National Treasure put up a valiant fight and held off Senor Buscador's challenge to win the Gr.1 Pegasus by a neck.
“At the eighth pole, there was no doubt in my mind we were going to win by daylight the way he was running,” Fincher said. “At the sixteenth pole, I could see National Treasure was starting to dig in and I wasn’t as sure. And in the end, he just didn’t get up. We had no excuses. He ran a great race, Junior (Alvarado) rode a very good race, and I have to give a lot of credit to National Treasure. He was up to the challenge. The two of them really rose above the rest of the field, to say the least.”
Senor Buscador's performance in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational was exceptional, earning him a Beyer Speed Figure of 105, which was his best ever.
Previously, he had earned 101 twice, once for winning the Gr.2 San Diego Handicap and second for finishing second in the Gr.2 Cigar Mile in his last race of 2023. Despite finishing as the runner-up in the Pegasus, his performance caught the attention of officials from the US$20 million Saudi Cup, who invited Trainer Todd Fincher to bring Senor Buscador to the prestigious event.
“I got a call from them a couple of weeks ago and it sounded like they were going to issue him an invitation then, but I never heard another word until I received the call after the race yesterday,” Fincher said Sunday morning. “It looks like he came out of the race well so far, and I love the fact that the Saudi race is a mile and one eighth, but around one turn. I think that suits him perfectly. So, at the moment, I’d say that’s the direction we’re going to head.”
Trainer Todd Fincher confirmed that Senor Buscador will be staying at Gulfstream Park for a while before heading to Riyadh. The horse had spent six weeks training at the same location before participating in the Pegasus. A scheduled flight is set to depart South Florida on 13th February, and the horse will be on it.
National Treasure's connections were thrilled after his second Grade one victory in the Pegasus, which validated his impressive performance in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. However, it is too early for them to decide on the next steps for their horse. Trainer Bob Baffert said he would wait until National Treasure is back home before discussing plans with the ownership group.
Baffert hinted that they may not participate in the Saudi Cup or Dubai World Cup and instead focus on campaigning in the US throughout the rest of the year.
“We were trying to decide where to go with him to start the year, maybe Saudi, but I thought let’s keep him here and be a good horse in America,” Baffert said. “It’s very important (supporting) races like the Pegasus. It’s very important we run our good horses in America. We need to bring our good horses and keep those races going."
On Sunday, Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. gave a positive update about Skippylongstocking's health after the horse was eased and vanned off at the end of the Pegasus World Cup. Skippylongstocking had to break from post 12, the extreme outside, and was pushed right after the start to race near the early leaders. However, the horse quickly dropped down the field during the backstretch and was eventually pulled up by jockey Tyler Gaffalione on the second turn.
“He came back to the barn overheated and very tired, but he will be okay to race again,” Joseph said during training hours on Sunday. “He (Tyler) had to use him very hard from the 12 post. Obviously he wasn’t himself, but he seems to have come out of it well, that’s the most important thing, to fight another day.”
Joseph ran two horses, Skippylongstocking and O’Connor, in the Pegasus. Unfortunately, O’Connor finished fifth, finishing a considerable twelve lengths behind National Treasure, which was quite disappointing.
“I thought O’Connor made a good move between the three-eighths and quarter pole,” Joseph said. “It was a little tough to watch him because I was so concerned about ‘Skippy’ at that point. He made a little run and just flattened out. He ran okay, but I still think he’s better than that.”