The final invitation list to $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) now includes Newgrange, rounding out three weeks of determining the 12-horse field for the headline event of a showcase race program at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25.
Newgrange, who hasn’t raced in six months, joins a field that includes a slew of Grade 1 winners, among them Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, White Abarrio, Senor Buscador, Mixto, Stronghold, and Saudi Crown.
The post-position draw for the Pegasus World Cup, as well as the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2) and four other graded stakes, is Sunday.
Newgrange, based on the West Coast and trained by Phil D’Amato, has been training in South Florida under Jose D’Angelo. The 5-year-old multiple graded stakes winner has earned more than $1 million. He ran fifth in the San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar in July.
The final nominations list released Wednesday: Crupi, Imagination, Locked, Mixto, Mystik Dan, Newgrange, Power Squeeze, Saudi Crown, Senor Buscador, Skippylongstocking, Stronghold, and White Abarrio.
The field can still change as trainer Bob Baffert hasn’t made a final decision on whether to send Imagination to the race, and Mystik Dan remains a maybe until an upcoming workout.
Mystik Dan’s trainer Kenny McPeek said after his Derby winner worked at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 13 that another workout this weekend (Friday or Saturday) would determine the colt’s status for the race.
“We wanted a nice, solid breeze out of him, so he got something out of it,” McPeek said after Mystik Dan worked 5 furlongs in 59.48 seconds. “It was a good next step ... One more work next week, either Friday or Saturday, I haven’t decided, and then we’ll make a decision whether we’re going to go or not.”
Mystik Dan ran second in the Preakness Stakes (G1), eighth in the Belmont Stakes (G1), and did not race again until running sixth in the Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita on Dec. 28.
In the Pegasus Turf, Chasing the Crown, Running Bee and Spirit of St Louis are among the invitees, moving up from the alternates list to replace Get Smokin, Johannes, and Redistricting.
In the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf, See You Around moves into the field and Prerequisite drops to the alternates list.
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