Johannes' departure may open door to Mi Hermano Ramon in Pegasus World Cup Turf

ARCADIA, Calif. - A key defection from the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25 may lead to the participation of the California-based gelding Mi Hermano Ramon.

Johannes, second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 2, and the winner of five graded stakes on turf in 2024, will not start in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational after recently being diagnosed with bone bruising. Johannes is not expected to race again until the summer.

Mi Hermano Ramon, trained by Mark Glatt for Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners, was second to Johannes in the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, losing by three-quarters of a length.

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Without that rival in the lucrative Pegasus World Cup Turf, Glatt said a trip to Florida has become more likely.

“I’m leaning toward running back there,” Glatt said at Santa Anita on Sunday. “It’s all come together pretty quickly because I wasn’t going to go.”

Mi Hermano Ramon, who won the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 30, worked a half-mile in 48.20 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday. In the Seabiscuit, Mi Hermano Ramon finished a half-length in front of Redistricting. On Sunday, trainer Chad Brown texted that he does not have immediate race plans for Redistricting.

From California, the Pegasus World Cup Turf is also expected to draw Formidable Man, a 4-year-old colt who won the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 30 in his last start. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Formidable Man has won his last three starts, all in turf stakes.

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