Formidable Man possible for Pegasus World Cup Turf, trainer says

DEL MAR, Calif. - With his third consecutive stakes win since mid-July, Formidable Man confirmed his status as the dominant 3-year-old turf male in California with an appealing win in Saturday’s Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar.

The latest victory may lead to a first career start against older horses at Gulfstream Park, in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf on Jan. 25.

“Might have to think about the Pegasus,” trainer Michael McCarthy wrote in a text message on Sunday morning.

The transition from age-specific races to running against older horses is an annual test for 3-year-olds turning 4 each winter. Formidable Man has yet to race against older horses. Earlier this year, he won the restricted Oceanside Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar in July and the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby in September, both for 3-year-olds.

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In the $303,000 Hollywood Derby, Formidable Man had an ideal trip under jockey Umberto Rispoli, stalking the early pace before taking the lead in the final sixteenth. Formidable Man, who races for William and Suzanne Warren, won by three-quarters of a length over King of Gosford.

“He always looked like he was threatening to run a big one,” McCarthy said on Saturday afternoon.

Formidable Man, who is by City of Light, has won 5 of 10 starts and earned $637,425. He was purchased for $375,000 as a yearling.

McCarthy had a big final weekend of the Del Mar autumn meeting. On Friday, the 3-year-old filly Accuracy won her debut against winners in an allowance race at a mile. Ridden by Rispoli, Accuracy led throughout and pulled clear late to win by 7 1/4 lengths as the 1-10 favorite. She was timed in 1:35.85 and earned an exceptional Beyer Speed Figure of 95.

It was not a career-best figure. Accuracy won a maiden race at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita by 15 lengths on Oct. 19, earning a figure of 107.

The two runaway wins has left McCarthy contemplating a start for Accuracy in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.

Accuracy was third in her only start in a sprint, her career debut in a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar in early August.

“Do we back up to seven-eighths?” McCarthy said. “You have to think about it. She’s naturally fast. We’ll see what the next few weeks bring.”

Accuracy, by Arrogate, races for Mike Repole. She has won 2 of 4 starts and earned $83,400.

Sweet Azteca, a three-time stakes winner this year, is nearing a return to training after a recent rest, McCarthy said.

Sweet Azteca was taken out of training shortly after a fourth-place finish as the 1-10 favorite in the Grade 3 Chillingworth Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on Oct. 5.

Prior to that loss, Sweet Azteca was rated as the leading contender for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

McCarthy said on Saturday that Sweet Azteca will return to this stable “at the beginning of the year” for a 2025 campaign.

Owned and bred by Pamela Ziebarth, Sweet Azteca, 4, has won 5 of 7 starts and earned $487,200 in a career highlighted by a win in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile for fillies and mares on dirt at Santa Anita in March.

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