January 23, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
The Place to Be
In the world of Thoroughbred racing, late January means one thing: the Pegasus World Cup.
On Saturday, the game’s brightest stars will flock to Gulfstream for a dynamic day of racing headlined by the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Championship (G1).
The 1 1/8-mile main event features a suave cast of a dozen competitors, led by 5-2 opening line favorite, and two-time graded stakes winner Locked.
Setting off from post 11, the Todd Pletcher trainee eyes a third coveted title to go alongside impressive tallies in 2023’s Breeders’ Cup Futurity (G1) and December’s Cigar Mile (G2).
Seven other multiple graded stakes winners are also competing in the Pegasus World Cup. This group includes White Abarrio (3-1), Saudi Crown (9-2), Mystik Dan (8-1), Stronghold (10-1), Skippylongstocking (10-1), Newgrange (20-1) and Power Squeeze (30-1).
Post time for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Championship is 5:40 p.m. ET.
Ready for Redemption
The beauty of Pegasus day is that the action starts early, and it doesn’t slow down.
Before the headliner, on the undercard if you will, is the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1T). Scheduled for 4:06 p.m., this 1 1/8-mile turf tilt also boasts several names that need watching, one of which is Integration.
The 5-year-old Claude McGaughey III charge returns to the Pegasus World Cup Turf for a shot at redemption after finishing fifth as the 6-5 choice in last year’s edition.
Oddsmakers haven’t lost faith in the three-time graded stakes winner, listing him at 3-1 behind only 2-1 clubhouse leader Nations Pride (IRE) on the opening line.
Hand Me My Glasses
Immediately following the million-dollar dash is the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G2T) at 4:40 p.m.
The 1 1/16-mile turf contest appears wide open, as the leading choices on the opening line are nearly inseparable: Raqiya (IRE) (4-1), Sacred Wish (9-2), Fluffy Socks (5-1), and Be Your Best (IRE) (6-1).
Let’s provide some context for each hopeful.
Raqiya came over from the United Kingdom circuit in November, scoring in her only start to date (Grade 3 Goldikova). Overall, the 4-year-old is 8: 5-0-0.
Sacred Wish also was successful in her most recent jaunt, claiming the Matriarch (G1T) by a neck at 12-1. The experienced 5-year-old has won four of 17 career starts (4-6-3).
Fluffy Socks is by far the most heavily raced of the quarter, scampering to victory in six of her 30 lifetime starts. The 7-year-old mare has landed in the money 67 percent of the time (30: 6-9-5)
Be Your Best has been exactly that over her last two starts. The 5-year-old secured the Long Island (G2T) and Suwannee River (G3T) to round out her third professional campaign.
Don’t Worry Darling
Olivia Darling hasn’t been able to recapture the success she found in last year’s $215,000 Inside Information (G2), but the 6-year-old mare returns to Gulfstream this Saturday ready to run wild in the 2025 edition of the 7-furlong affair.
While it would be unfair to classify the four starts between Inside Information’s a failure (1-1-0; two misses being a ninth and fifth), Olivia Darling could use some good fortune after missing out on March’s Hurricane Bertie (G3) by a half-length.
The Jorge Delgado trainee is, however, entering the Inside Information on the right foot. Olivia Darling looked confident in a one-length tune-up score on Nov. 24, also at Gulfstream.
Opening at 4-1 (third choice), her chances of a two-peat appear in solid shape.
Invaluable Impact
No matter the sport, value is the name of the game.
Take the Washington Commanders for example, who were able to make key additions on both sides of the ball because their outstanding quarterback is on a rookie-scale contract.
In horse racing, 7-year-old gelding Harrow, is the prime example of great value. Purchased for $9,000 in 2019, the dogged competitor has earned nearly $290,000 across 25 starts.
Harrow (15-1) will be rewarded for his long-standing efforts this Saturday when he contests his first graded stakes event, the $215,000 William L. McKnight (G3T) at Gulfstream.
Slotted in post seven, the Edgard Zayas mount has his work cut out for him against top foes Bold Act (IRE) (2-1 favorite) and Limited Liability (3-1).
But as we’ve already seen from the Commanders, odds are just numbers.