Full Serrano training for Pegasus World Cup

Full Serrano, winner of the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar, is training for a start in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park, provided California weather cooperates in coming weeks.

“He needs three perfect works,” trainer John Sadler said Friday.

Full Serrano, who finished fifth in the BC Dirt Mile at Del Mar in November in his last appearance, worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 on Monday at Santa Anita, his third workout since the BC Dirt Mile. Joel Rosario, who rode at Santa Anita last Sunday and Monday, was aboard for the workout.

Full Serrano was rested briefly after the BC Dirt Mile because of “a tender foot,” Sadler said last month and did not start in the Grade 2 Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita.

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Owned by Hronis Racing, Full Serrano is booked to work at Santa Anita on Sunday or Monday “depending on weather,” Sadler said.

There is a forecast of rain in Southern California on Saturday.

“Everything has to go perfectly,” Sadler said. “We’ve dodged a bit of weather already.”

Santa Anita has had four days of racing canceled since Dec. 26 because of wet conditions and has conducted one makeup day.

A 6-year-old Argentine-bred horse, Full Serrano has won 3 of 6 starts since arriving from Argentina in early 2024. Aside from the win in the BC Dirt Mile, Full Serrano has been second in two Grade 1 races – the 2024 Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles at Del Mar and the Goodwood Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita in September.

The $3 million Pegasus World Cup is run at 1 1/8 miles and is the nation’s leading wintertime race for older horses.

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