Pegasus World Cup Day is still three weeks away, but Gulfstream Park on Wednesday announced the first list of invitees and reserves to its blockbuster card on Jan. 25.
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan and fellow Grade 1 winners Saudi Crown, Senor Buscador, Stronghold, Mixto, and White Abarrio are among 12 invitees and nine reserves on the opening list for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1).
The other invitees to the 1 1/8-mile race for 4-year-olds and up are Rattle N Roll, Skippylongstocking, Crupi, Locked, J B Strikes Back, and Imagination.
The reserves list: Coastal Mission, Cook Creek, Newgrange, Power Squeeze, Red Route One, Rocket Can, Skinner, Steal Sunshine, and Tumbarumba.
Mystik Dan, who won the Derby in three-horse photo, has been going downhill since. He ran a solid second in the Preakness Stakes (G1), then ran eighth in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and sixth and last in the Malibu Stakes (G1) on Dec. 26.
Senor Buscador tops all earners with more than $12.9 million in earnings from 23 starts, including a head victory in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) last February ($10 million winner’s share). The win came after he closed for second behind National Treasure in last year’s Pegasus World Cup.
The invitees list will be updated on Jan. 8 and Jan. 15.
The first list of Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) invitees features well-traveled Nations Pride and Johannes.
Others invited to the, $1 million, 1 1/8-mile race are Formidable Man, Win for the Money, Get Smokin, Grand Sonata, Major Dude, Integration, Mi Hermano Ramon, Battle of Normandy, Dinner Party, and Redistricting.
The reserves are Running Bee, Spirit of St. Louis, Fort Washington, Chasing the Crown, Astronomer, Atitlan, Cabo Spirit, and Gigante.
Nations Pride, trained by Charlie Appleby, has raced in six countries with a pair of Grade 1 wins – the Arlington Million and the Canandian International.
Johannes, recent winner of the San Gabriel (G2) at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, won five of six races in 2024 with his only loss by three-quarters of a length to More Than Looks in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).
The lists will be updated on Jan. 8 and Jan. 15.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
