January 29, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
There He Is
In last Friday’s preview of the stakes weekend that was, we wondered which version of National Treasure would show up for Saturday’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream: the reigning Preakness champion or the one who squanders favorable fields?
Lucky for the 4-year-old’s all-star connections, the champ came to play. It wasn’t easy, but National Treasure had just enough left in the tank to survive a late push from Senor Buscador to capture Pegasus weekend’s main event by a neck.
The second Grade 1 title of the Kentucky-bred’s career pushed his career earnings over $3.3 million through 11 starts. He paid $7.20.
One for the Ages
Few, if any, can say they had a better weekend than Irish superstar Warm Heart (IRE). The Aidan O’Brien pupil not only became the first filly to ever win the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1T), but she did so by setting a new course record.
It took Warm Heart just 1:44.45 to circle the 1 1/8-mile distance, breaking the previous mark of 1.44.51 set by English Channel 17 years ago in February 2007.
Closing as the board’s second choice at 2-1, the 4-year-old ended up battling with 14-1 dart throw I’m Very Busy instead of 6-5 favorite Integration, who fell well behind the pace to fifth.
The historic performance returned $6.80 on a $2 win bet.
Sunshine and Rainbows
Argentinian aces dominating in Florida is par for the course these days. First it was Lionel Messi with Inter Miami and now it’s Didia (ARG) in the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G2T).
The 6-year-old mare bounced back from a dreadful 10th place result in last November’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) to score in her Gulfstream debut.
Engaged in a spirited battle with 27-1 challenger Surprisingly, Didia needed every last ounce of juice to stave off the wily underdog by a neck.
Now sitting at a remarkable 10-2-0 through 15 starts, the Jose Ortiz mount paid $8.60.
Crown Keeper
The accolades keep piling up for Kentucky-bred Newgrange, who successfully defended his San Pasqual (G2) crown on Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita.
After coming out on top over 8-5 favorite Newgate, Newgrange is now a five-time graded stakes winner and the newest member of the million-dollar earnings club.
Leading the $200,000 affair gate-to-wire, the Victor Espinoza mount left little doubt as to who would be walking away a champion. At 7-0-4 through 13 career starts, Newgrange’s nose for the podium makes him an appealing choice each time out.
The San Pasqual re-up paid $6.20.
Surprise Twist
What was expected to be a tightly contested matchup between formidable foes in the $100,000 Say Florida Sandy at Aqueduct turned out to be the exact opposite.
Both closing at 9-5, Rotknee, the slight toteboard choice, and Aggregation seemed destined for a meeting at the finish line. While that did technically happen, the former got there four lengths ahead of the latter.
Rotknee, a 5-year-old New York bred, wasn’t challenged in the slightest en route to career stakes win number five. The Say Florida Sandy score marked the Michael Maker disciple’s third win in seven tries at his home track.
The dazzling effort returned $5.70.
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