PEGASUS WORLD CUP
The 8th Edition of the Pegasus World Cup will be held on Saturday, January 27th at Gulfstream Park. The 3 million dollar race looks to be centered around three potential contenders this year.
Preakness Winner, National Treasure, last seen grabbing second place to Cody's Wish in the Dirt Mile, looks to have a bit more advantage at the 9f mark than he did at 8f. He will need to be in top form as he faces a huge challenge away from his backyard this time.
The well-bred First Mission, trained by Brad Cox, just rolled off two back to back bullet works at Fairgrounds and appears to be in an excellent position to capitalize after losing to another potential Pegasus competitor, Trademark, in his last at Churchill in the Clarke.
Both National Treasure and First Mission missed victory by just a nose each in their last contest, however, First Mission's and Trademark's race in the Clark Stakes was at the proper 9f distance.
The race may seem to lack in superstars, but don't let that fool you. These three horses are sure to put on quite a show up front on that lead tier as they each vie for that 1.6 million first prize check.
BACK TO THE TRACK
Two very promising colts from the early goings of last year are gearing up for a very much anticipated return to the race track.
The four-year-old campaigns of both Extra Anejo and Kingsbarns are underway. This should prove to put a bit of spark into the 2024 season.
Kingsbarns is back in training down in Florida and hopefully Mr. Pletcher is pleased enough to see him back on the track and competing in the near future.
This horse has a pedigree to die for, but it was not used properly in the Kentucky Derby. Last seen back in June at Monmouth, entered into a race that was way too short for him, he still nabbed 2nd place in spite of it. This horse needs to see the proper race placement with a ride more conducive to his energy distribution and he should shine as a 4 year old.
The extremely well-bred Extra Anejo has had quite a long time to heal. Last seen with a very unfortunate ride coming from the rear in the Haskell Stakes, resulting in a very disheartening 4th place. This is not indicative of his preferred winning ways, which is out front and dominating his opponents. Let's see how this Asmussen Monster acclimates himself back onto the track this time around and if he gets back to his leading ways. The anticipation is through the roof.
"TURF" BIGSHOT EMERGING FROM JAPAN
The undefeated son of Palace Malice, Jantar Mantar, has so far dominated 3 JRA TURF races as a 2 year old, including two Graded titles. Two items stand out with this particular newly-minted three year old.
His last winning race, the G2 Asahi Hai Futurity, run at 1600 meters (8f), Jantar Mantar beat a full field of 17 competitors. That is a serious task to accomplish for such a young and inexperienced colt.
Jantar has an unblemished turf record at 3 for 3, but his pedigree looks incredibly dominating for dirt. Configured very well, not only for the UAE Derby, but also for the Kentucky Derby.
Chefs: DP = 2-4-4-0-0 (10) DI = 4.00 CD = 0.80
Mares: 5-5-3-10-6 Speed = 10 Stamina = 16 Index = 0.72 Triads = 13-18-19
This horse's pedigree towers above the two Japan dirt runners, Amante Bianco and Forever Young, both of which have already secured Derby Prep points so far. There is no comparison when it comes to skill and breeding against the turf runner. We shall have to wait and see where Jantar's connection's take him. His fate is in their hands. Killer potential on dirt with his chart.
AND A POSSIBLE BIGSHOT HERE
One 6f winning maiden race at Tampa Bay holds all of the signs of a potential monster sitting in Christophe Clement's barn. This fresh colt is a must for your virtual stable.
Ari's Magic is holding a perfectly balanced blend of speed and stamina and appears custom-built for the Kentucky Derby.
DP = 2-4-4-0-0 (10) DI = 4.00 CD = 0.80
Mare Profile = 3-6-5-9-5 Speed = 9 Stamina = 14 Index = 0.71 Triads = 14-20-19
The fact that a Good Magic son shattered a 6f field, coming from the rear, by 4.5 lengths is a testament to his beautiful chart. This colt is by no means a sprinter and once he gets a chance to operate at a distance, he is going to fly. Budding future star.
ROMPS IN THE HAY
The first crop of foals are beginning to drop from the girlfriends of both Flightline and Epicenter.
Flightline covered 152 mares including Code of Honor's Dam - Reunited, American Pharoah's Dam - Littleprincessemma, Forte's Dam - Queen Caroline, and Improbable's Dam - Rare Event, among many others.
Lady Scarlet was the very first mare who was pronounced in foal to Flightline. She produced a healthy bay colt in New York on Jan 13th.
Flightline/Lady Scarlet (Union Rags)
DP = 1-6-5-0-0 (12) DI = 3.80 CD = 0.67
13-2-3-6-6 Speed = 15 Stamina = 12 Index = 1.48 Triads = 18-11-15 (2nd gen Tapit)
Three mares who had romps in the hay with Epicenter have also been dropped. These three new moms are all Galileo mares. These are the three babies to anticipate in 2 years time - one right after the other!
Epicenter/Curlylocks (Galileo)
Chefs: 1-0-11-6-0 (18) DI = 0.57 CD = -0.22
Mares: 1-9-7-6-6 Speed = 10 Stamina = 12 Index = 0.72 Triads = 17-22-19
Epicenter/Hence (Galileo)
Chefs: 1-0-11-6-0 (18) DI = 0.57 CD = -0.22
Mares: 4-9-3-7-9 Speed = 13 Stamina = 16 Index = 0.71 Triads = 16-19-19
Epicenter/Moth (Galileo)
Chefs: 3-0-15-6-0 (24) DI = 0.78 CD = 0.00
Mares: 2-9-3-8-8 Speed = 11 Stamina = 16 Index = 0.59 Triads = 14-20-19
THE SAUDI CUP 2024
Spectacular racing ahead at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on February 23 & 24. The list of potential entries from around the world for this race is astounding.
Derma Sotogake has been in training on the slope at Sakaji for his preparations and is confirmed for his gate. He'll have his hands full against superstar Lemon Pop, who was just crowned JRA's Best Dirt Horse for 2023 and is also confirmed for a start.
Possible USA starters include National Treasure, Defunded, First Mission, Clapton, Fort Bragg, Stilleto Boy, Speed Boat Beach, etc.
They should all just stay home.
BACK IN HIS (WEATHER) ELEMENT
Ushba Tesoro returned back to Japan after his disappointing performance on the hot track at Santa Anita and proceeded to secure his trophy in the last Grade One race run in 2023 in the Tokyo Daishoten. This is his 2nd consecutive trophy for this race and he shows no signs of slowing down. That is, as long as it is nice and cool for him to run.
THE JOCKEY THAT DOESN'T QUIT
You would think that one of the top jockeys in the world would take a breather on some down time from the Ballydoyle Brigade when he has the chance but Ryan Moore simply never quits.
Just Because...
City of Troy takes the Timeform Award for Leading Two Year Old in Europe for 2023. It was the seven furlongs in the Superlative Stakes where City of Troy posted the best performance in that race’s history on Timeform ratings. He was a freight train when he powered home to an emphatic six-and-a-half-length win over Group 2 winner, Haatem.
Justify is proving to be quite the stallion with his second crop as more and more winners are unveiled on a weekly basis across the globe.
IN MEMORY
Uncle Chuck (2017 - 2023)
2020 Los Alamitos Derby Winner
Speightstown (1998 - 2023)
Race Record of 10 wins out of 16 starts. 2004 Champion Sprinter, Breeders Cup Sprint Winner.
Work All Week (2009 - 2023)
2015 Eclipse Award Champion Sprinter
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