Art Collector back in Pegasus World Cup picture

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Away from the work tab for a month, Art Collector worked a half-mile in 49.20 seconds Friday morning at Payson Park and is back in the mix for the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28.

Art Collector hasn’t raced since finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs on Oct. 1. He was at one time being considered for the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, but was hampered by a foot problem, trainer Bill Mott said.

Art Collector worked at Payson Park on Nov. 18 with the idea of making the Harlan’s Holiday Stakes at Gulfstream on Dec. 31, but he didn’t work again until Friday.

Meanwhile, Art Collector’s half-brother Classic Legacy joined Mott’s stable at Payson Park following a 3 1/2-length maiden win here Dec. 3.

Mott said he wanted to see how Classic Legacy settled in to his new surroundings before deciding where and when to run him next.

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Mott said Baby Yoda, who missed the Grade 1 Cigar Mile due to a temperature, also shipped to Payson Park recently and is getting a break.

Mott won a maiden race on Thursday at Aqueduct with Celestial Moon, a 3-year-old son of Malibu Moon who was making his dirt debut after losing twice on turf. Celestial Moon ran a mile in 1:39.63 and earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure for his 2 1/2-length victory.

“He looked a little turfy because of his action, so we had to try the turf while we could,” Mott said.

Mott said Celestial Moon would remain in New York this winter and point to a first-level allowance race.

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