For the seasoned 7-year-old horse Skippylongstocking, his fourth attempt proved successful as he surged to victory in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes held on January 24th, marking his fourth consecutive appearance in the Grade 1 race at Gulfstream Park.
Competing over one and one-eighth miles on a swift primary track, Skippylongstocking, guided by jockey Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., completed the race in 1 minute, 48.49 seconds, yielding a $45.20 return on a $2 winning bet. His stablemate, White Abarrio, also trained by Saffie Joseph, secured the second position, trailing by one and three-quarter lengths. Full Serrano took third place.
After 35 prior starts and accumulating $3.7 million, Skippylongstocking finally secured his inaugural Grade 1 victory. This triumph also allowed him to step out from beneath the reputation of his fellow 7-year-old stablemate from Joseph’s barn, White Abarrio, who claimed the previous year’s Pegasus World Cup and had also triumphed in prestigious events such as the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Whitney Stakes, and Florida Derby earlier in his career. The betting odds clearly illustrated their perceived standings, with White Abarrio at 3-1 on the tote board compared to Skippylongstocking’s 21-1.
Regarding Skippylongstocking, Joseph stated, “He earned this success. Skippy has consistently demonstrated the speed required for a Grade 1 victory, but it had eluded him, and without a Grade 1 win, one faces criticism. Now, he possesses that achievement.”
Joseph indicated that Skippylongstocking might next contend in the $12 million Dubai World Cup. Furthermore, given that the Pegasus was newly designated a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series race, he also secured an automatic entry into the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic later this autumn.
Despite the considerable excitement surrounding Skippylongstocking’s victory, Joseph’s emotional response was primarily triggered by White Abarrio’s showing.
Joseph admitted, “During the final stretch, I was actively hoping White Abarrio would win. I confess, it feels regrettable to say so, but I am speaking honestly.”
While Gulfstream’s course generally favors horses with early pace over two turns, Skippylongstocking mounted a strong comeback from the ninth position among the twelve contenders.
Disco Time, the 3-2 favorite in the tenth running of the Pegasus, established the initial segment times of 22.25 seconds, 46.08 seconds, and 1 minute, 9.87 seconds. However, half-way through the concluding turn, White Abarrio, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., took the lead and began to pull away. He maintained a one and a half length advantage into the final stretch, with only his stablemate posing a significant threat. Gaffalione propelled Skippylongstocking into the lead just past the sixteenth pole, completing the one and one-eighth mile distance in 1 minute, 48.49 seconds.
Gaffalione commented, “The execution aligned perfectly with our strategy.”
Full Serrano concluded the race five and a half lengths behind White Abarrio, claiming the third spot. Disco Time ultimately finished eighth, marking his inaugural defeat across six career races.
Skippylongstocking’s cumulative career earnings have now reached $5,461,250.
On Pegasus Day, a record-setting $48,558,149 was bet across Gulfstream’s 13-race program, representing a substantial increase from the previous year’s total of $41,700,225.
Test Score surpassed his stablemate One Stripe, securing trainer Graham Motion a one-two placement in the $1 million Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes on January 24th at Gulfstream Park. Test Score, who concluded his three-year-old season as a top contender in the turf division for that age group, excelled in his initial four-year-old appearance in the Pegasus Turf event.
Test Score, who had won three graded stakes as a three-year-old last year, recovered impressively from a tight third-place finish in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in his last race of 2025, where congestion had impeded his performance, causing him to settle for third. He faced no such impediments this Saturday in the one and one-eighth mile Pegasus Turf, enjoying a favorable run in fourth for most of the race and conserving energy around both turns, while Cabo Spirit dictated the tempo unhindered at the front with splits of 23.71 seconds, 47.23 seconds, and 1 minute, 10.58 seconds.
Guided to the outside by jockey Manny Franco as they entered the stretch, Test Score proved superior to his competitors, having overtaken Cabo Spirit in the middle of the final straight. Once in the lead, Test Score possessed sufficient strength to hold off One Stripe, a former champion miler from South Africa. He ultimately secured victory by a neck, clocking 1 minute, 47.04 seconds over the distance on a firm turf track.
Motion remarked, “Truly, both horses performed exceptionally well. Manny provided Test Score with an ideal journey today.”
Almendares, transported from Southern California for trainer Phil D’Amato, secured third place, finishing one length behind the horse in second. Astronomer claimed fourth position. The favored entry, Program Trading, who charged through a significant opening along the rail entering the stretch, offered no compelling reason for his performance and ended up in fifth.
On Saturday, Test Score garnered his most substantial prize money to date, receiving a $516,000 portion of the winner’s purse. This payout elevated his total career earnings to $2,000,525, achieved through a record of five wins, three second-place finishes, and three third-place finishes across 13 starts. His winning payout was $17.20.
Motion indicated that Test Score would be granted a deserved respite following an extensive racing schedule for much of his three-year-old season culminating in the Pegasus. He further conveyed anticipation for One Stripe’s potential performances this year. — Byron King
Destino d’Oro enhanced her flawless Gulfstream Park record to two wins in two starts by securing a surprising come-from-behind triumph in the $490,500 Grade 2 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes, sponsored by TAA, on January 24th.
Trainer Brad Cox remarked, “She seems to thrive in this environment. She benefited from a favorable start and a well-executed ride today. The outcome was highly successful.”
During her initial race against more mature fillies and mares this Saturday, Destino d’Oro found herself relegated to eleventh position from the starting gate, but subsequently, under jockey Junior Alvarado, she steadily advanced into a competitive position. Nearing the final turn in ninth place within the twelve-horse field, Alvarado guided her to the outside, unleashing a powerful surge. She surpassed the late charges of Crevalle d’Oro and Movin’ On Up to secure a victory by a half-length, completing the race in 1 minute, 40.33 seconds. Her winning payout was $33.20.
Alvarado exclaimed, “I was astonished by the power my mount exhibited. She delivered an incredible burst of speed in the closing stages.”
This second graded victory marked Destino d’Oro’s fifth career win in eight starts, boosting her total earnings to $829,884. — Sean Collins
