Poster has four wins in seven career starts, three of them on turf. So, what’s he doing in the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup on dirt?
Like several other contenders in this full field of 12, Poster fared well recently on dirt, beaten just a head by Skippylongstocking in the Harlan’s Holiday Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 20.
On the Kentucky Derby trail after winning the 2024 Remsen Stakes (G2), then running third in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) and fourth in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) early in 2025, but sustained a condylar fracture and was sidelined until November, when he won an allowance optional claimer on turf at Churchill Downs.
“He was off for a considerable amount of time, and he came back and ran very well,’’ Harty said.
After his strong effort in Harlan’s Holiday at 1 1/16 miles, Poster will stretch out to 1 1/8 miles for the first time and will be ridden by Junior Alvarado for the first time.
In addition, Poster will be fitted with blinkers to help him focus. And since several contenders are likely to set a good early pace, the race might set up well for a closing Poster.
Can he win on dirt the way he’s won on the turf? Not ready to take that leap, but if he could be closing strong to get a piece of the action.
Notes: Poster has three works at Tampa Bay Downs in 2026, most recently going 4 furlongs in 48.40 on Jan. 20 ... Went 3-for-2 as a 2-year-old, his first two wins on the turf before winning the Remsen by a nose over Aviator.
Richard Rosenblatt is an award-winning journalist and former Associated Press Horse Racing Editor. Currently, he serves as the news editor at US Racing, overseeing exclusive content from contributors worldwide.
