NEW ORLEANS – Pirate’s Punch looked like one of the best older horses stabled at Fair Grounds when he won a second-level allowance race Thursday by 11 ½ lengths.

Under Robby Albarado, who had hit the ground in a spill a race earlier, Pirate’s Punch set a strong half-mile pace of 47.19 in this two-turn dirt race but still never wavered in the homestretch, clocking 1:43.18 for 1 1/16 miles, a fast time by Fair Grounds standards that produced a 102 Beyer Speed Figure, the top number over a mile thus far in 2020.

NEW ORLEANS – Taraz is a big filly and her connections have big plans for her this winter and spring.

If Taraz runs the way trainer Brad Cox hopes on Feb. 1 at Oaklawn in the Martha Washington Stakes, her third start and two-turn debut, Taraz will be pointed for the Rebel Stakes on March 14 at Oaklawn. The Rebel is open to colts and geldings as well as fillies, and Taraz’s presence there could be a prelude to a start in a Triple Crown race.

“I hope that is the plan,” Cox said Thursday when asked about a potential race against males.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 2019 season is best forgotten for La Sardane, the 6-year-old mare who is scheduled to have her first start of 2020 in Monday’s Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes at Santa Anita.

La Sardane was fourth in the 2019 Megahertz and was involved in a frightening two-horse spill in the Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes on the hillside turf course last March. Arms Runner suffered a fatal injury while racing in front of La Sardane, who was unable to avoid her fallen rival.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Hard Not to Love, winner of the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on Dec. 28, is likely to remain at that distance for the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes against older fillies and mares on Feb. 15 at Santa Anita.

In the days after the La Brea, trainer John Shirreffs said he planned to run Hard Not to Love in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile for fillies and mares on March 14. Shirreffs said Friday that there is time for a start in the Santa Monica in the interim.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The 3-year-old prospects Premier Star and Caracaro turned in impressive victories at Gulfstream during the past week.

Premier Star remained perfect in two starts after cruising to a 5 1/4-length allowance victory under Irad Ortiz Jr. on Wednesday, earning an 85 Beyer Speed Figure. The effort came five weeks after the son of Tapiture launched his career with a 1 3/4-length maiden special weight triumph over Caracaro, who flattered the effort with a very easy and well-graded maiden win of his own here on Jan. 11.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Mark Casse has been well represented in the entry box throughout the opening six weeks of the Gulfstream Championship meeting, although he has spent the majority of his time this winter on the farm in Ocala, Fla. And for good reason.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A field of at least 11 older horses is taking shape for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup next Saturday at Gulfstream Park, with Omaha Beach looming a decisive favorite in the fourth running of the 1 1/8-mile race.

According to the Gulfstream racing office, these are the confirmed prospects and riding assignments for the Pegasus as of Friday:

One horse suffered a catastrophic injury and two more horses went down, losing their riders, in the seventh race Thursday at Fair Grounds.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Sir Winston, the 2019 Belmont Stakes winner, has returned to the scene of his greatest triumph as he prepares for his 4-year-old campaign.

Thursday, Sir Winston worked five furlongs in 1:03.09 over the Belmont Park training track and later was confirmed as a starter for the $100,000 Jazil Stakes here Jan. 25.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Fierce Lady and Big Q are certainly the most accomplished runners entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Franklin Square Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct. Both, however, could be vulnerable in the 6 1/2-furlong race.