Bodexpress works six furlongs for Pegasus

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Bodexpress on Friday turned in the first of his three scheduled works leading up to the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park, going six furlongs from the five-eighths pole in 1:14 at Gulfstream Park West.

Bodexpress closed out his whirlwind 3-year-old campaign by finishing third as the even-money favorite in the Grade 3 Harlan’s Holiday here on Dec. 14, tiring late after setting a blistering early pace. The outing was his first locally since finishing second in the Grade 1 Florida Derby as a maiden eight months earlier.

“He had an open gallop last week but this was his first official work since his last start,” said assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. “He did it easily. He’s feeling good. The plan will be to give him two more works before the Pegasus, the last one on the 15th.”

Bodexpress was known for his pre-race antics during much of his 3-year-old campaign. He seemed to have settled down with wins at Gulfstream Park West in October and November, but was more like his old self before the Harlan’s Holiday.

“I got a feeling he was getting anxious, just like he used to, on the van ride over before the Harlan’s Holiday,” said Delgado. “He behaved well in the paddock but was still a little spooky, and then he hit the gate right before the start and almost got scratched. I knew we were in trouble at that point. And after going 22 and change for the opening quarter, it was all just too much for him to overcome. The good thing was he came back from the race well.”

Delgado said the no-Lasix policy for the 2020 Pegasus should not be an issue for Bodexpress.

“He’s never had a history of any bleeding problems,” said Delgado. “He doesn’t need Lasix.”