Breaking Lucky does everything right in final Pegasus work

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Breaking Lucky turned in his final prep for the $12 million Pegasus World Cup on Wednesday at Palm Beach Downs, working five furlongs in 1:00.40 under exercise rider Christian Rivera. The work came 10 days out from the Pegasus World Cup, to be run here Jan. 28.

“Everything was perfect, just what the doctor ordered,” said trainer Reade Baker. “I told the rider to go between 1:00 and 1:01, and he hit it right on the head. He went his final quarter in 23 and 3 and galloped out in 1:13 and 3.”

Baker said he began moving Breaking Lucky’s final work back to 10 days to two weeks out from his races prior to his big effort in the Grade 1 Woodward last summer at Saratoga. Breaking Lucky finished fourth in the Woodward, beaten less than a length by winner Shaman Ghost.

“I thought he might be doing too much on his gallop-outs too close to his races, so I tried backing him out a little bit before the Woodward, and it’s seemed to work,” said Baker.

Breaking Lucky will continue to train at Palm Beach Downs through next Wednesday before shipping to Gulfstream Park. All Pegasus starters must be on the grounds by the end of that day. Entries for the Pegasus World Cup will be drawn Monday. Arrogate and California Chrome, one-two in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, are expected to top a field of 12 for the 1 1/8-mile race.

“I don’t really pay much attention to what any of the other horses in the race are doing, but I do want to wish the connections of California Chrome and Arrogate the best of luck that they draw the outside on Monday,” Baker said with a laugh.

Shares in Breaking Lucky were sold last week to both West Point Thoroughbreds and Dean Reeves by his original owner, Gunpowder Farms LLC.

Poseiden tops undercard

Nominations have been released for the six stakes on the Pegasus undercard, including the $400,000 Poseidon, which, like the Pegasus, is for 4-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles. Among the 30 nominees expected to compete in the inaugural Poseidon are Hoppertunity, Imperative, Semper Fortis, and the Todd Pletcher-trained duo of Stanford and Madefromlucky.

The other graded races on the card aside from the Grade 1 Pegasus are the Grade 3 W.L. McKnight and its filly counterpart, the Grade 3 La Prevoyante. The two $200,000 events are carded at 1 1/2 miles on the turf, with each having attracted 21 nominees.

◗ Jockey Joel Rosario took off his one mount on Monday’s card before departing later that afternoon for Saudi Arabia, where he’ll ride Friday and Saturday in the King’s Cup prep, according to his agent, Ron Anderson. Rosario will return Sunday. He’ll join his colleague Eddie Castro, who is already in Saudi Arabia.