Dozen contenders considered for Pegasus World Cup
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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The first invitation list has been released for this year’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Jan. 24. The group of a dozen horses is topped by White Abarrio, the runaway winner of this event a year ago, and Florida Derby winner Tappan Street, the only horse to finish in front of likely Horse of the Year Sovereignty during the 2025 season.
White Abarrio is one of two horses on the invitation list from the barn of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. The other is Skippylongstocking, who is scheduled to compete in the race for a record fourth straight year following his recent victory in the Grade 3 Harlan’s Holiday, the main local prep for the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup. The duo has combined lifetime earnings of nearly $11 million.
White Abarrio won the 2025 Pegasus World Cup by 6 1/4 lengths while earning a lifetime-best 109 Beyer Speed Figure. If he does return to defend that title, he will come into the race idle since finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on Aug. 31 at Saratoga. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., his regular rider for the majority of the past two seasons, galloped White Abarrio 1 1/2 miles here Friday morning as a prelude to a scheduled workout, his first in three weeks, on Sunday morning.
Trainer Brad Cox had three members of his potent stable invited to the race, with the undefeated Disco Time and Cigar Mile winner Bishops Bay joining Tappan Street on the list. Disco Time exits a 9 3/4-length victory in the one-mile Dwyer at Aqueduct, while Bishops Bay has captured six of his last seven starts, including four graded stakes.
The remaining seven invitees for the 10th renewal of the Pegasus World Cup include 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Full Serrano, the well-traveled Grade 1 winner Rattle N Roll, Captain Cook, Chunk of Gold, Poster, and the Louisiana-bred Touchuponastar, who has won 19 of his 26 lifetime starts.
Trainer John Sadler said Friday that Full Serrano’s status for the race is dependent on how he works over the next couple of weeks.
“We’d like to come. He came out of the Breeders’ Cup [Dirt Mile] with a left foot issue that took a little while to resolve itself. He worked well out here Monday with [Joel] Rosario aboard but will need two more strong works for me to bring him out there for the race,” Sadler explained.
Trainer Kenny McPeek said Rattle N Roll would likely run in the Pegasus World Cup if he does not receive an invitation to this year’s Saudi Cup, a race in which he finished fifth last season.
“We have a Saudi partner in the horse,so if he gets an invitation for that race, we’re headed that way,” McPeek said. “If not, chances are he’ll go in the Pegasus.”
Invitations also have been released for the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf and $500,000 Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf. Both races promise full and very competitive fields on Jan. 24.
“All three Pegasus races are incredibly competitive and have top horses invited to each,” said Mike Lakow, Gulfstream Park’s vice president of racing.
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