By Richard Rosenblatt
Chad Brown – Photo Courtesy of NYRA
Turf training wizard Chad Brown could have as many as three starters in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25 after invitations were extended on Sunday for the second running of the race.
Brown, who campaigned likely Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar to a perfect 2019 season that began with a win in the inaugural Pegasus World Cup Turf, has Instilled Regard and Without Parole on the main list of 12 invitees and Sacred Life as a first alternate of five reserve invitees.
The maximum field for the Pegasus Turf is 12, with post positions to be drawn on Jan. 22.
The others invited to the 1 3/16-mile race, which had its purse reduced to $1 million from $3 million by The Stronach Group a few weeks ago, include eight Grade 1 winners led by millionaires Arklow, Magic Wand, Henley’s Joy, Next Shares, Sadler’s Joy and Starship Jubilee.
Bricks and Mortar – Photo Credits: Gufstream Park
Magic Wand, trained by Aidan O’Brien, also was invited to the $3 million Pegasus World Cup on the nine-race Pegasus World Cup Invitational program.
Instilled Regard, on the Triple Crown trail in 2018, prepped for the Pegasus Turf with a half-length triumph in the Fort Lauderdale (G2) at Gulfstream on Dec. 14, his second start after a six-month layoff.
Without Parole won the 2018 St. James’s Palace Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot and made his North American debut Nov. 2 in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), running third to stablemate Uni, an Eclipse Award finalist for female turf champion.
Sacred Life won the Prix Thomas Bryon (G3) as a 2-year-old in his native France and owns one win from four starts in the U.S., finishing second in the Bernard Baruch (G2) and Seabiscuit handicaps last year.
| Horse | Owner | Trainer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arklow | Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger, Peter Coneway | Brad Cox | |
| Channel Cat | Calumet Farm | Todd Pletcher | |
| Magic Wand | Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Mr. M.J. Jooste | Aidan O’Brien | |
| Henley’s Joy | Bloom Racing Stable | Michael Maker | |
| Instilled Regard | Oxo Equine | Chad Brown | |
| Mo Forza | Bardy Farm, OG Boss | Peter Miller | |
| Next Shares | Debby Baltas, Richard Baltas, Christopher Dunn, Jules Iavarone, Michael Iavarone, Jerry McClanahan, Ritchie Robershaw, Mark Taylor | Richard Baltas | |
| Sadler’s Joy | Woodslane Farm | Tom Albertrani | |
| Starship Jubilee | Blue Heaven Farm | Kevin Attard | |
| United | LNJ Foxwoods | Richard Mandella | |
| Without Parole | John D. Gunther, Tanya Gunther | Chad Brown | |
| Zulu Alpha | Michael M. Hui | Michael Maker | |
| Horse | Owner | Trainer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacred Life | Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, Bethlehem Stables | Chad Brown | |
| Admission Office | Amerman Racing | Brian Lynch | |
| A Thread of Blue | Leonard C. Green | Kiaran McLaughlin | |
| Mr. Misunderstood | Flurry Racing Stables | Brad Cox | |
| Lucullan | Godolphin | Kiaran McLaughlin | |
For more information/tickets: PegasusWorldCup.com
Over the years while working at The Associated Press, Rich Rosenblatt became a familiar name to legions of the horse racing fans and industry insiders with his award-winning articles on horse racing and his stories from the backstretch.
In addition to being an astute observer of sports, Rosenblatt is the co-author of The All-American Chili Cookbook. His work has been seen in just about every publication in the world, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and Time Magazine.