A 5-year-old chestnut son of Triple Crown winner Justify, British Isles, will be wading into somewhat unfamiliar territory at Gulfstream Park when he starts in Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup.
For starters, this will be only his third of 22 starts in a graded stakes, having finished sixth in the Hollywood Derby (G1) in November 2024. (More on that shortly).
He also will be saddled for the first time by veteran trainer David Fawkes, taking over – at least temporarily – for Richard Baltas, who took over from Hall of Famer Bob Baffert after the gelding was acquired by Slam Dunk Racing et al. in the spring of 2024.
Initially owned by Mike Pegram and friends, British Isles made his first three starts on dirt, then improved to finish second going 9 furlongs on the turf, breaking his maiden at his seventh asking in May 2024. There he remained until entered in the Native Diver (G3) two months ago, when he shocked the heck out of most everybody by finishing a close-up second in his first non-turf start in, well, a long time, at odds of 16-1.
The race marked his second straight triple-digit Equibase speed figure of 108, having earned the same number going nine furlongs on the turf in an optional claimer on Oct. 11.
While he hasn’t yet broken through at the highest level, his consistency and willingness to stay on through the lane have marked him as a horse capable of rattling off a decent run when circumstances favor a patient ride.
Weather and track conditions at Gulfstream Park can be pivotal in a full Pegasus field, and British Isles should benefit from a surface that stays fair for closers mid-pack. His running style — typically racing a bit off the pace before unleashing into the lane — could see him pick up pieces if the early fractions are hot and the front-end tires late.
If he can improve on his recent graded stakes form and carve out a clean trip through the lane, he has the potential to be a competitive figure.
Notes: British Isles, off at 16-1 odds, was beaten a half-length by Bob Baffert-trained Nevada Beach in the Native Diver in his last start, Nov. 22 at Del Mar ... Diego Herrera, who rode British Isles early in his career, will be aboard again for the third straight race ... The 5-year-old gelding worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 at Santa Anita on Jan. 17.
Jenny Kellner is an award-winning journalist and teacher who has covered thoroughbred racing for years. As a reporter for both United Press International and The Associated Press, her work has appeared in publications and on websites around the world. Jenny has also written for The New York Times, the New York Post, Newsday and Sports Illustrated.
