January 26, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Book of Secrets
Sporting a record of 2-2-2 through 10 career starts, National Treasure is truly a book of secrets. The 4-year-old colt, who hasn’t won in four tries since last May’s $1.65 million Preakness (G1), heads into Saturday’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup as the 9-5 favorite.
Trying to predict which National Treasure will show up in his Gulfstream debut is like trying to explain all the clues in the film’s which he shares his name.
On one hand, he’s a Preakness champion, earner of $1.6 million, and regular competitor in Grade 1 level affairs. On the other, he’s missed the board completely despite favorable closing odds multiple times (fourth in the Santa Anita Derby at 5-2 and fourth in the Awesome Again at 3-1).
Regardless of which one shows up, it’ll be a spectacle, nonetheless.
Business Trip
Irish darling Warm Heart (IRE) won’t have to wait long before returning to the North American circuit. This time, however, the multiple Group 1 champion will spend the winter on the east coast instead of out west.
Entering the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1T) at Gulfstream as the 9-5 choice, Warm Heart (IRE) is more than capable of adding a Grade 1 score to her shining resume. One of four internationals entered in Saturday’s contest, the 4-year-old filly has only missed the board twice in 10 starts.
The last time she raced on American soil, the Aidan O’Brien disciple finished second by a neck to British foe Inspiral (GB) in last November’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.
Cinderella Run?
Full Count Felicia, whose name fits equally well on New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto, rides a recent hot streak into Saturday’s $500,0000 Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf (G2T) at Gulfstream.
A winner of four of her last five appearances, Full Count Felicia makes for intriguing play in what will be the most challenging feat of her 14-race career. Entering at 10-1, the 5-year-old mare sits well behind early favorites Star Fortress (IRE) (5-2) and 9-2 Fluffy Socks, but she’s coming off her biggest win to date.
Last time out, the Brittany Russell protégé won the $175,000 Suwanee River Stakes (G3T) by 1 ¾ lengths.
4th and Inches
If Free Like a Girl is the Buffalo Bills, then graded stakes are the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs.
After falling short on four separate occasions at the level, the 5-year-old mare can finally put an end to her graded woes in this Saturday’s $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) at Sam Houston.
At this point in her 33-race career, of which she’s gone 15-8-5 with 14 stakes scores, there’s little else Free Like a Girl has left to accomplish.
The million-dollar earner and trainer Chasey Deville Pomier are hopeful a change of scenery will lead to greater graded fortunes.
Free Like a Girl enters at 3-1.
Halftime Pastime
Attention residents of Maryland: Looking for something to do during halftime of Sunday’s AFC Championship game between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs? Look no further than the $75,000 Jennings Stakes at Laurel Park.
Scheduled to leave the gate at 4:33 p.m., the 1-mile contest for 4-year-olds and up should line up nicely with the break between quarters two and three. The deep field of eight features one Maryland-bred, in particular, that is yet to lose on his hometown track.
Hillwood Stable’s Post Time is a perfect 4-0-0 at Laurel Park, lifted by scores in the 2022 Maryland Juvenile and November 2023 City of Laurel Stakes. Overall, the Sheldon Russell mount is 5-0-1 through six career starts.
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