Giant Expectations drills five furlongs in Pegasus prep
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
ARCADIA, Calif. – Giant Expectations, upset winner of the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, worked five furlongs in 58.80 seconds Friday in preparation for the $16 million Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.
Giant Expectations worked from the half-mile pole to the seven-eighths pole, a furlong past the finish line. Trainer Peter Eurton timed Giant Expectations in 46.80 for the first half-mile of the workout and galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.
Even though Giant Expectations worked alone, he passed a horse from another stable in the first furlong of the workout and caught a horse from yet another stable in the final furlong.
Gary Stevens will ride Giant Expectations in the Pegasus World Cup at 1 1/8 miles, when the 5-year-old horse will be a longshot.
“It’ll be 50- or 60-1,” Eurton said. “I don’t mind.”
Eurton said his greatest fear is drawing an outside post with Giant Expectations, who is likely to race near the front. Gulfstream Park has a circumference of 1 1/8 miles, with a short run from the start of races at that distance to the first turn.
“He needs a good trip,” Eurton said. “The last thing you want to do is gun from the 9, 10, or 11.”
In other works Friday, Roy H, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 4, worked five furlongs in 1:01.60. He is a candidate for the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs on Feb. 3.
Hoppertunity, the millionaire multiple stakes winner, worked a half-mile in 49.60. Fourth in the San Antonio, Hoppertunity may start in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 3.
◗ There is racing at Santa Anita on Monday beginning at 12:30 p.m. The program is highlighted by the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf.
