Shisospicy getting ready for return

Trainer Jose D’Angelo reported that Shisospicy will have her third work back since winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint when she breezes four furlongs Saturday morning at Palm Meadows. Shisospicy is currently targeting the 1351 Turf Sprint at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Feb. 14 for her 2026 debut.

“Her first two works were at three furlongs – the first very easy, the second a little faster with a strong gallop-out,” D’Angelo said. “Now she’s ready to stretch out to four furlongs on Saturday.”

D’Angelo said Shisospicy will do all her serious training for her return at Palm Meadows before flying to Saudi Arabia on Feb. 2. As for D’Angelo’s other Breeders’ Cup victor, the Sprint winner Bentornato, he is still a week away from his first work of the New Year, according to his trainer.

“He’s been galloping regularly. He’ll work next weekend, but I don’t think he’ll be ready to go to Saudi Arabia,” D’Angelo acknowledged. “More likely he’ll make his first start of the year in Dubai [in the Golden Shaheen].”

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D’Angelo is also looking forward to running his recently acquired Crevalle d’Oro in the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf here on Jan. 24. Crevalle d’Oro joined D’Angelo’s barn shortly after her fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Goldikova Stakes at Del Mar on Breeders’ Cup Day and returned quick dividends for her new connections by upsetting the Suwannee River Stakes at odds of 10-1 in her 2025 finale on Dec. 20.

“I had to prep her for the race without really knowing her, but she came to me in great shape, and good horses always makes things easier for you,” said D’Angelo. “I was happy with the way she ran. She didn’t have the best trip and proved she was a very good horse by winning anyway, and I think it’s very important that she proved she likes the turf course here. I know it’s a big step up, but I believe she will be very competitive in the Pegasus.”

◗ Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out his two Pegasus contenders to work Friday morning at Palm Beach Downs. Captain Cook went five furlongs in company with Skate Away in 1:01.65 in preparation for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, while Major Dude clocked an easy half-mile on the dirt in 50.48 seconds to warm up for the Pegasus World Cup Turf.

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