Say the Word, Count Again possible for Pegasus World Cup Turf

DEL MAR, Calif. - Say the Word, the winner of the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Stakes at Woodbine on Oct. 18, and Count Again, who won Saturday’s Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar, are under consideration for the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 23 or the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 30, trainer Phil D’Amato said Sunday.

Say the Word finished third in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar on Thursday in his first start for D’Amato. Count Again had his debut for the stable on Saturday. A share in both runners was acquired in October by Agave Racing from existing owner Sam-Son Farm.

The $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf is run at 1 3/16 miles, while the $200,000 San Marcos Stakes is run at 1 1/4 miles on turf.

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“I would say one or both could possibly be candidates for the Pegasus and San Marcos,” D’Amato said Sunday. “Those are the sort of races I’d be eyeing.”

Count Again closed from last in a field of 12 to reach the front in the final sixteenth of the Seabiscuit Handicap, run at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

“Count Again galloped out very strongly, giving me the impression an extra eighth of a mile won’t be an issue,” D’Amato said.

Say the Word was beaten a length by Arklow, closing from last in a field of 10 under jockey Flavien Prat.