Higher Power being considered for Pegasus World Cup; Gift Box could try Saudi Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. – Trainer John Sadler has made tentative plans for Gift Box and Higher Power, his top older horses, and may start both away from California in coming months.

Higher Power is a candidate for the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25, a $3 million race run at 1 1/8 miles. Higher Power has not raced since he finished third by 8 1/2 lengths to Vino Rosso in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 2. Earlier in 2019, Higher Power won the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar in August.

Gift Box, winner of the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 28 at Santa Anita in his first start since June, will be considered for the $20 million Saudi Cup at 1 1/8 miles at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 29, or the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on March 7.

“He’ll end up in one of those races,” Sadler said. “They’re only a week apart.”

Gift Box won the $600,000 Santa Anita Handicap in 2019, when the race was run in April.

Higher Power and Gift Box are owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis.