Chasing the Crown Extended Invite to $1M Pegasus Turf (G1)
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Madaket Road, five times graded-stakes placed including last summer’s Woody Stephens (G1), replaces recently retired stablemate Goal Oriented representing Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on the final list of invitees for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus for 4-year-olds and up, headlining a spectacular program featuring 10 stakes, seven graded, worth $5.55 million in purses complemented by world-class dining and entertainment.
SF Racing et al.’s Madaket Road has been third or better in six of nine career starts for purse earnings of $580,000. Though primarily a sprinter he has had two previous attempts around two turns, finishing second in the 1 1/16-mile Rebel (G2) and fourth in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby (G1), the latter at Gulfstream, last winter.
Baffert previously won the Pegasus World Cup with Arrogate, whose victory in the inaugural 2017 running came in a still-standing track record 1:46.83, Mucho Gusto in 2020 and 2023 Preakness (G1) winner National Treasure in 2024. Goal Oriented, winner of the Dec. 28 Malibu (G1) in what turned out to be his career finale, was retired to stud duty at Spendthrift Farm Jan. 11.
Tappan Street, winner of the 2025 Florida Derby over subsequent Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont (G1) and Travers (G1) hero Sovereignty, and Brad Cox-trained stablemate Disco Time, undefeated through five career starts including three consecutive stakes, continue to top the list of Pegasus invitations along with $7 million earner White Abarrio, who won last year’s race by a Pegasus-record 6 ¼ lengths.
White Abarrio’s Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained stablemate, Daniel Alonso’s Skippylongstocking, is invited to make an unprecedented fourth start in the Pegasus. The 7-year-old has 12 wins, 10 in graded-stakes, and nearly $3.8 million in purses from 35 career starts.
Touchuponastar, 19-time career winner of more than $1.6 million in purses, has been removed from Pegasus consideration, replaced by alternate British Isles. Slam Dunk Racing, trainer Richard Baltas and Jerry McClanahan’s British Isles exits a second in the Nov. 22 Native Diver (G2) at Del Mar.
Remaining on the invitation list are 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Full Serrano, millionaire Banishing, 2024 Remsen (G2) winner Poster, stakes winners Brotha Kenny and Captain Cook, and Cigar Mile (G2) runner-up Mika. Tristar Farm’s Doc Sullivan, a multiple New York-bred stakes winner, is the first alternate.
Paradise Farms Corp., David Staudacher and Angelo Carlesimo’s stakes-winning millionaire Chasing the Crown has been promoted from reserve to the main list of invitees to the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1). He replaces Wolfie’s Dynaghost, front-running winner of the local Pegasus Turf prep, the Fort Lauderdale (G3), Dec. 20.
Chasing the Crown has placed three times in graded-stakes including a third to Spirit of St Louis in last year’s Pegasus Turf. His trainer, Mike Maker, won the Pegasus Turf previously with Zulu Alpha in 2020 and Atone in 2023.
The primary Pegasus Turf invitees remain headed by three-time Grade 1 winner Program Trading, fellow millionaires Cabo Spirit, Fort Washington, Major Dude and Test Score, and two-time South African Group 1 winner One Stripe along with Grade 2 winners Call Sign Seven and Cugino and stakes winners Almendares, Astronomer and Beach Gold.
Ken Ramsey’s stakes winner Movin’ On Up, twice graded-stakes placed, joins the primary list of invitees to the $500,000 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2), replacing Grade 3 winner Medoro. Movin’ On Up was most recently beaten a head when second in the local Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf prep, Gulfstream’s Suwannee River, Dec. 20.
Entries will be taken and post positions drawn for all three Pegasus World Cup races Sunday.
About The Stronach Group and 1/ST
The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks, training centers and premier events including: Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); The Preakness Stakes, (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and 1/ST TV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information email david.joseph@GulfstreamPark.com and visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.