Glorious Empire to miss Pegasus World Cup Turf

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Glorious Empire, who earned a career-high 108 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale here last month, has been removed from consideration for the $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf on Jan. 26 because of a minor ankle injury.

Trained by Chuck Lawrence for Matt Schera, Glorious Empire is expected to be able to resume training in due course toward a 2019 campaign. Last year at 7, the gelding won three graded turf stakes, including the Grade 1 Sword Dancer on the Travers undercard in August.

Glorious Empire is likely to be among three horses listed in the older-male turf horse category when 2018 Eclipse Award finalists are announced here Saturday at 11:05 a.m. Eastern via gulfstreampark.com and the track simulcast feed.

Loooch label is no more

Ron Paolucci, whose multipronged stable long has run under the Loooch Racing banner, will have his horses compete under Ron Paolucci Racing LLC, effective with the turn of the calendar to 2019.

Paolucci was married Dec. 23 to Kim Kellner and said his new wife asked for the change.

“Out with the old, in with the new!” Paolucci said with a laugh.

Loooch Racing won 215 races in 2018, second only to End Zone Athletics (292) among North American owners.

Ortiz serving three days

Conspicuous by his absence this weekend at Gulfstream will be superstar jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who will serve a three-day suspension stemming from his ride on a horse named Avalanche, the fourth-place finisher in the 10th race on opening day (Dec. 26) at Santa Anita. The penalty runs Friday through Sunday.

Ortiz, 26, surely will be among those named for outstanding jockey when the 2018 Eclipse Award finalists are revealed Saturday. Ortiz topped all North American jockeys in wins (345) and earnings ($27.5 million).

◗ With so many high-caliber races to be run here Saturday, a $44,000 sprint for statebreds is the only allowance on a 10-race Friday card that starts at 12:35 p.m. Oldfashioned Style and Catoria are the likely favorites among six fillies and mares in the third race. The 20-cent Rainbow 6 spans races 5 to 10.

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