Harpers First Ride headed for Diodoro barn after Pegasus World Cup

Win, lose, or dead heat, Harpers First Ride will change barns following his run Saturday in the Pegasus World Cup. A winner in 9 of 14 starts, all for Claudio Gonzalez, the 5-year-old Maryland-bred gelding will be sent to Robertino Diodoro at Oaklawn Park after the race.

MCA Racing recently sold Harpers First Ride in a private transaction brokered by Cody Autrey to the partnership of GMP Stables, Arnold Bennewith, and Cypress Creek Equine. MCA claimed him for $30,000 from a September 2019 race at Churchill Downs, and Gonzalez proceeded to win more than $550,000 with him, including four stakes victories highlighted by the Grade 3 Pimlico Special in October.

◗ With 2,200 ontrack tickets for Pegasus Day having long been sold out, there is no walk-up gate for Saturday. The general public has not been permitted ontrack at Gulfstream since the pandemic began in mid-March, and there is no official word yet as to if that situation might change.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay Downs has been accommodating ontrack spectators willing to adhere to strict health protocols since its 2020-21 meet began Nov. 25.

◗ Jockey Robby Albarado is expected back in action soon after recovering from a hand fracture. Albarado has not ridden since Dec. 26 at Gulfstream. The 47-year-old jockey has ridden more than 5,200 winners in a career dating to 1990.

◗ Gulfstream officials are considering holding another Rainbow 6 forceout on Sunday, the day after the Pegasus. The week started with $400,559 in the jackpot.