In the days leading up to the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, usracing.com will profile the horses in the race set for Jan. 23. The profiles will be updated on Jan. 20 with morning-line odds, post positions and jockeys.
By Ed McNamara
Remarkably, a 7-year-old who’s lost 13 of his last 14 starts received a third consecutive invitation to the $3 million Pegasus. He was seventh in 2019, eighth last year, and 0-for-6 in 2020 before finally earning a Grade 1 win on a sloppy track in a weak Cigar Mile. It was his first victory since September 2018.
In his defense, he’s hit the board 10 times while going 1-for-19 in graded stakes. So until the Cigar, he was often close, but no cigar. He’s also been a good investment for show bettors, with 19 in-the-money finishes in 29 starts.
The problem with the Pegasus: True Timber is a closing sprinter/miler who’s 0-for-4 at 1 1/8 miles. Going that far on a track where he’s 0-for-3, never better than fourth, I give him no chance to win. Trifecta or superfecta? Not out of the question.
He was ridden by Kendrick Carmouche in the Cigar Mile.
Pegasus World Cup Profile: True Timber
Post position: TBD
Odds: TBD
Trainer: Jack Sisterson
Jockey: TBD
Owner: Calumet Farm
Age: 7
Career record: 29-5-5-9
Career earnings: $1,215,150
Top Equibase speed figure: 113
Pedigree: Mineshaft-Queen’s Wood, by Tiznow
Color: Bay
Running style: Mid-pack rallier
Notes: Sisterson, a 35-year-old transplanted Englishman, is a rising star who was a hot walker for Todd Pletcher and an assistant to Doug O’Neill. He’s been training for Calumet since June 2018 … True Timber was turned over to Sisterson last spring after Kiaran McLaughlin ended a long, distinguished training career to become Luis Saez’s agent … True Timber “surprised” Sisterson with a very quick workout Jan. 9 at Palm Meadows, going 5 furlongs in 1.00.20, with a final furlong in a zippy 11 seconds. “Usually, he’s rather workmanlike and slow, but he was extremely fast this morning,” Sisterson said. “He seems to be turning the corner for us.”
Pegasus World Cup Contenders
Ed McNamara is an award-winning journalist who has been writing about thoroughbred racing for 35 years. He has handicapped races for ESPN.com, Newsday and The Record of New Jersey. He is the author of “Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown” and co-author of “The Most Glorious Crown,” a chronicle of the first 12 Triple Crown champions.
