The $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) is Saturday, Jan. 25, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The race is for 4-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles. usracing.com is publishing profiles of the horses entered.
When it comes to turf racing, trainer Phil D’Amato is the undisputed king in California. Like Chad Brown, D’Amato’s grass runners get tremendous respect from horseplayers and usually justify the support.
When Stronghold held on to win the Santa Anita Derby (G1) last April, D’Amato had his first Kentucky Derby runner.
“It’s been my dream to have a horse in the Kentucky Derby,” D’Amato said. “This is pretty much what I’ve worked my whole career to get to this point.”
Rarely does a Derby first-timer win, and D’Amato was no exception. Stronghold ran seventh but the 35-1 shot showed he belonged, coming from 17th early to contend briefly while encountering traffic trouble in the stretch. It’s the only time he’s been out of the exacta in 10 career races.
The son of 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper has been impressive in his three races since the Derby, second-place efforts in the Indiana Derby (G2) before the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and Malibu Stakes (G1). His strong finish in the 7-furlong Malibu and career-best 114 Equibase speed figure should set him up well for the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus.
Betting advice: In solid form but tends to finish second in top company. Use underneath.
Post position: 6
Odds: 10-1
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Owners: Eric and Sharon Waller
Career record: 10-3-6-0
Career earnings: $1,128,000
Last race: Malibu Stakes (G1), Dec. 26, 2nd
Top Equibase speed figure: 114
Pedigree: Ghostzapper-Spectator, by Jimmy Creed
Age: 4
Color: Bay
Running style: Midpack/stalker
Notes: D’Amato, a 48-year-old native of Southern California, was an assistant to Mike Mitchell before taking over his barn when he retired in 2013 … Obviously gave D’Amato his only Breeders’ Cup victory in the 2016 Turf Sprint at his base, Santa Anita … Last year he ranked 12th nationally in earnings. He had 1,021 career wins as of Jan. 16.
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.
