Prevalence shows big-time talent with 89 Beyer debut victory

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Knicks Go wasn’t the only horse to generate plenty of buzz here on Pegasus World Cup Day. Several hours earlier, trainer Brendan Walsh sent out the Godolphin homebred Prevalence to capture his career debut in spectacular fashion, winning off by 8 1/2 lengths. The 3-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro covered seven furlongs in 1:23.00 and earned an 89 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He’s shown us plenty of ability in the morning, although you don’t expect one to go out and do what he did on Saturday,” Walsh said. “I haven’t been really that tough on him yet, either, so I think there should be plenty to come from him yet. Obviously, now expectations are going to be plenty high. Everyone thinks he’s going to be some kind of a star. Hopefully, he’ll turn out to be as good as he has the potential to be.”

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

Walsh also trains the undefeated Maxfield for Godolphin.

“It’s a little early to be comparing him to Maxfield – I think he’ll always be my favorite,” Walsh said. “But it’s nice to have another good one for Godolphin. They have such great lines, you always got a license to get a good one with them.”

Walsh said he has no immediate plans for Prevalence’s next start.

“We’ll let the dust settle, but I loved the way he handled the track at Gulfstream so I’d like to keep him here, whether it be in an allowance or a race like the Fountain of Youth,” he said.

Walsh made it two victories in a row Saturday by winning the Grade 3 Marshua’s River with Zofelle. Zofelle returned from a seven-month layoff to register a two-length victory while receiving a career-best 94 Beyer Figure.

“She’d been working super since she got down here, and I was expecting a good run from her Saturday,” Walsh said. “The break really improved her. She’s gotten bigger and stronger, and I think we should have a big year with her. She loves Gulfstream, so we’ll probably give her one more run down here.”

:: Enhance your handicapping with DRF’s Gulfstream Park Clocker Report

Walsh said that run could come in the Honey Fox on Feb. 27.

Walsh also reported that Maxfield worked extremely well at Fair Grounds on Monday, going five furlongs in 1:01. He said Maxfield’s next start will come in the Grade 3 Mineshaft at Fair Grounds or the Grade 3 Razorback at Oaklawn Park. Both races will be run Feb. 13.

Tyler Gaffalione rode both Prevalence and Zofelle, accounting for two of his four wins on the Pegasus Day card. He came back with a three-bagger on Sunday to move into a tie for fourth in the standings with Edgard Zayas with 42 wins apiece.

◗ The 3-year-old filly Slumber Party on Sunday pretty much duplicated Prevalence’s performance the day before, winning her debut by 7 1/2 lengths going seven furlongs. She earned an 88 Beyer. Slumber Party is a Malibu Moon homebred owned by Gary and Mary West and trained by Kelly Breen.