The primary Marquee Graded Stakes of the 12 months is scheduled for Saturday at Gulfstream Park.th yearly Pegasus World Cup Invitation Stakes will probably be held. Pegasus was previously generally known as the Don Handicap, however was re-envisioned in 2017 as an early-season, invitation-only showcase for older horses. The race made headlines when it was first printed with a $12 million prize at stake. Its purse elevated in 2018, however has since declined and has stabilized in recent times at a nonetheless profitable $3 million. As for the 1 1/8-mile Grade 1 race itself, it has been received by a few of the finest dust horses of the previous decade, together with inaugural winner Arrogate, Gun Runner (2018), Knicks Go (2021) and Life is Good (2022).
This 12 months’s renewal contains a extremely aggressive area for horses aged 4 and up, led by earlier Pegasus winner White Avario. Pegasus will host a sensational Saturday race card at Gulfstream Park that includes seven different stakes races. Every race will probably be broadcast on FanDuel TV, with Pegasus and choose undercard races additionally broadcast nationally on NBC and streamed dwell on Peacock for an hour-and-a-half present from 4:30 to six p.m. Pegasus’ publish time is about at 5:39 PM ET.
Learn under for details about every Pegasus candidate, in addition to playing insights.
1. Disco Time (morning row odds 8 to five)
Jockey: Flavien Prat
coach: brad cox
Proprietor: Juddmonte
Work historical past: 5 begins – 5 wins – 0 seconds – 0 third place
Profession revenue: $551,960
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 112
Pedigree: Not This Time – Disco Chick, Leap Begin
12 months: 4
shade: darkish bay or brown
Operating model: please choose up the tempo
evaluation: Disco time was held 8 to five morning line Attributable to his undefeated document in Pegasus and his profitable return to racing final fall, he’s thought of the favourite over defending champion White Avario and final 12 months’s Florida Derby winner Tappan Road. The son of the new younger stallion Not This Time raced briefly within the 2025 Kentucky Derby earlier than being injured, however has returned with a dominant win at Fairmont Park and two wins, most not too long ago the Dwyer Stakes at Aqueduct on Nov. 8. Disco Time ran wild on Dwyer by 9 3/4 lengths and earned a 112 equal base velocity determine. He is positively a menace to win in Pegasus — but this would be the hardest area he is ever confronted at distance. He might want to escape cleanly from the within publish place beneath first-time rider Flavien Prat to keep away from congestion with a full area.
First time racing? Let me clarify…
Morning line: In horse racing, every racetrack hires an oddsmaker to estimate what assist a horse will obtain from bettors in a pari-mutuel pool that collects bets from everybody betting on a selected race. These estimates are referred to as morning line odds and are normally introduced one to 2 days earlier than the race is run. Morning line odds are the start line for when a race turns into obtainable for betting and can change as bettors start putting bets. Ultimate odds can differ considerably from every horse’s morning odds by the point the race begins.
2. British Isles (20-1)
Jockey: Diego Herrera
coach: david fowlkes
Proprietor: Slam Dunk Racing, Debbie Baltas, Cynthia McClanahan
Work historical past: 22 begins – 3 wins – 6 seconds – 4 3
Profession revenue: $287,526
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 108
Pedigree: Justify – Purely Sizzling, by Pureprise
12 months: 5
shade: chestnut
Operating model: press tempo/stalker
evaluation: The veteran racehorse was in his first begin for coach David Foulkes, and got here from California for the demanding process. The horse achieved among the finest outcomes of his profession, ending runner-up within the Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar in late November, and entered Pegasus. Though he held the lead heading into the homestretch, he was utterly defeated by heavy favourite Nevada Seaside, leaving him in second place by half a size. Previous to beginning on dust, British Isles had began 18 of their 21 races on grass, with all three wins on grass. He ought to have had no hassle overlaying Pegasus’ 1 1/8-mile distance, however he confronted solely three rivals who have been native divers, and nonetheless completed with an extended shot of 16.50-1. As soon as the beginning gate opens on Pegasus, it is going to in all probability be near double that worth.
3. Furserano (12-1)
Jockey: Joel Rosario
coach: John Sadler
Proprietor: Fronis Racing
Work historical past: 20 begins – 6 wins – 7 seconds – 2/3
Profession revenue: $936,423
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 117
Pedigree: Full Mast – Serra do Mar, Jumpstart Inc.
12 months: 7
shade: darkish bay or brown
Operating model: pacesetter/push the tempo
evaluation: One other West Coast shipper, Furserano has proven flashes of brilliance with some disappointing efforts over the previous few years. He will probably be seeking to return to the shape he confirmed within the fall of 2024, when he received the Large Ass Enjoyable Breeders’ Cup Dust Mile at Del Mar and completed second within the one-mile FanDuel Racing Pacific Basic. He had a disappointing efficiency on the 2025 Dust Mile, additionally held at Del Mar, the place he was drained after a tough journey and completed fifth by 12 1/4 lengths. A comeback effort might assist the veteran end within the high three in opposition to a tricky area and in his first U.S. begin exterior of California. However ever since he got here to this nation from his native Argentina, he has continued to run the mile to one of the best of his capability. Furserano is predicted to be in or close to the early lead with jockey Joel Rosario, who has ridden him in each Breeders’ Cup begins.
4. Expulsion (20-1)
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
coach: david jacobsen
Proprietor: Lawrence Roman and David Jacobsen
Work historical past: 26 begins – 9 wins – 6 seconds – 3/3
Profession revenue: $1,968,409
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 116
Pedigree: Ghostzapper – Dowager, written by AP Indy
12 months: 6
shade: chestnut
Operating model: stalker
evaluation: Here is one other achieved veteran racehorse who seems to be like he’ll win at enticing odds in Pegasus. Vanishing has completed within the high three 18 instances in 26 profession begins, with the one obviously poor efficiency in a busy 2025 of 12 begins being the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Dash, the place he bought caught in visitors mid-turn and checked in 12 instances.th Out of 14 runners. He bought off to begin and completed second within the stakes race to be held at Oaklawn Park on December thirteenth, and will probably be reunited with jockey Jose Ortiz at Pegasus. Jockey Ortiz rode Vanishing to a dead-heat runner-up end within the Churchill Downs Stakes offered by Ford final Might, however misplaced in one of many highest high quality races of 2025 by a large margin. The primary hurdle for this proficient gelding will probably be distance: Vanishing has been most profitable in races as much as a mile, along with his solely win at 1 1/8 miles coming final 12 months within the distinctive three-corner Charlestown Basic Stakes. composition.
5. Skippy lengthy stockings (15-1)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
coach: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Proprietor: Daniel Alonso
Work historical past: 35 begins – 12 wins – 3 seconds – 7 third place
Profession revenue: $3,775,250
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 116
Pedigree: Exaggerator – Twinkling, by Battle Chant
12 months: 7
shade: bay
Operating model: stalker
evaluation: Is the fourth time the attraction for Skippylongstocking? The Ranch Pale campaigner and fan favourite has been ridden by Pegasus in every of his final three races, ending seventh in 2023, formally ‘DNF’ (didn’t end) in 2024, and improved enormously final 12 months to 3rd, six and a half lengths behind runaway winner White Avario, however only one neck behind second place Locked. Skippy Longstocking ran six extra instances in 2025 following Pegasus, profitable three graded stakes. In his ultimate begin of the 12 months, Skippy Longstocking received the Harlan’s Vacation Stakes at Gulfstream Park, beating Poster by a head. The horse, now 7 years previous, has by no means received a G1 stakes, and it is onerous to see him doing so on Saturday. In the meantime, he has received 4 instances at Gulfstream and completed within the high three 11 instances in 17 begins within the 1 1/8-mile race. He is a big menace so as to add to Pegasus’ ‘within the cash’ document at beginning quantity 4.
6. Madaket Highway (10-1)
Jockey: mike smith
coach: bob baffert
Proprietor: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Dianne Bashor, Decided Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan
Work historical past: 9 begins – 1 win – 4 seconds – 1 third
Profession revenue: $580,000
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 109
Pedigree: High quality Highway – Frolik’s Dream, written by Smoke Gracken
12 months: 4
shade: grey or roan
Operating model: press tempo/stalker
evaluation: The California-based horse joined the Pegasus steady by way of his connections after stablemate and up to date Malibu Stakes winner Purpose Oriented retired. Madaket Highway completed fourth behind his stablemate within the seven-furlong Malibu at Santa Anita Park in late December. He is a gentle kind of man who typically places in good efforts that do not come near profitable, as evidenced by his 4 runner-up finishes in 9 profession begins. One among Madaket Highway’s most notable races happened final spring’s Curlin Florida Derby Offered by Hill and Dale Farms at Gulfstream’s dust monitor, Xalapa. On this race, he set a pressure-packed early tempo, tiring within the straight and ending fourth behind Tappan Road, who then went on to complete fourth behind Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty. His distance limitations will probably be a troublesome hurdle to beat in Pegasus. On the very least, Madaket Highway needs to be a part of the preliminary tempo state of affairs for Corridor of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who rode within the Florida Derby.
7. Tappan Road (6-1)
Jockey: Luis Saez
coach: brad cox
Proprietor: WinStar Farm, CHC Inc., Chilly Press Racing, and Qatar Racing
Work historical past: 4 begins – 3 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Profession revenue: $670,400
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 104
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Virginia Key, Distorted Humor
12 months: 4
shade: bay
Operating model: press tempo/stalker
evaluation: Tappan Road will be part of stablemate Disco Time as a “sizzling subject” horse to run on this 12 months’s Pegasus. Just like the morning’s favorites, this horse has a nimble race, and though his 2025 Kentucky Derby race was suspended as a consequence of harm, he made an eye catching return after the break. Tappan Road made an impression within the winter of 2024-2025 with a second-place end within the Holy Bull Stakes, adopted by a 1/4-length victory within the Curlin Florida Derby hosted by Hill and Dale Farm at Xalapa, defeating eventual Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty (favourite to be named Horse of the 12 months at Eclipse on January twenty second). award). After a hiatus of greater than eight and a half months, Tappan Road returned to Gulfstream in late December and received the one-mile allowance-option declare race. This well-bred racehorse might want to enhance by way of velocity to beat Pegasus, however contemplating it is solely his fifth profession race and second since his return, that is an actual chance. Morning line odds of 6 to 1 are additionally far more enticing than disco time odds.
8. Poster (20-1)
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
coach: Eoin Harty
Proprietor: godolphin
Work historical past: 7 begins – 4 wins – 1 second – 1 second
Profession revenue: $409,480
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 106
Pedigree: Mannings – Pin Up, by Tapit
12 months: 4
shade: chestnut
Operating model: close by
evaluation: Poster is an attention-grabbing Pegasus candidate who was briefly thought of to run within the Kentucky Derby final spring, however missed the race and the rest of the Triple Crown sequence as a consequence of harm, returning with a stable victory within the one-mile turf race at Churchill Downs in September. He then moved to dust to run within the Harlan’s Vacation Stakes at Gulfstream in late December, the place he was the time favourite within the 1 1/16 mile race. Poster made a comeback in a straight line, however was outbid by Skippy Longstocking and misplaced by a neck. A newly 4-year-old baby will probably be geared up with: blinker Pegasus will assist with focus and with some ahead place runners entered it ought to generate early tempo to arrange the rally. Nevertheless, questions nonetheless stay as as to whether Poster is finest suited to grass, as three of Poster’s 4 profession wins have come on turf.
First time racing? Let me clarify…
blinker The cups could be minimize to totally different lengths and hooked up to the hood or reins to restrict the horse’s visibility. Ideally, your horse will carry out higher by having the ability to deal with what’s in entrance of you reasonably than what’s behind. When a coach removes the blinkers, it’s normally an indication of confidence that the horse is rising.
9. Captain Prepare dinner (15-1)
Jockey: John Velasquez
coach: tod plecher
Proprietor: St. Elias Stables
Work historical past: 8 begins – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 2/3
Profession revenue: $456,056
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 108
Pedigree: Prank – Pow Wow Wow by Indian Charlie
12 months: 4
shade: bay
Operating model: press tempo/stalker
evaluation: Like Disco Time, Tappan Road and Poster, Captain Prepare dinner was energetic on the 2025 Kentucky Derby Path final winter and spring, however didn’t race on the primary Saturday in Might. As an alternative, he was shortened in distance in his final three begins final 12 months, ending second twice and as soon as third in stakes races, all of which have been seven furlongs. In his first begin for coach Todd Pletcher, Captain Prepare dinner virtually received an upset victory within the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes at Saratoga in late August, however misplaced by a nostril and completed second in his final begin as a 3-year-old at Keeneland in October. He appears finest suited to one-turn races at this stage of his profession, and he would have a tough time beating the few better-qualified contenders at 1 1/8 miles, however he received the Wizards Stakes at that distance virtually a 12 months in the past. With the ability to obtain the companies of Corridor of Fame jockey John Velasquez for the primary time is a plus.
10. Mika (10-1)
Jockey: Manny Franco
coach: microphone maker
Proprietor: good man steady
Work historical past: 8 begins – 3 firsts – 1 second – 0 thirds
Profession revenue: $214,664
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 114
Pedigree: Catholic Boy – Historic Supremacy, by Speightstown
12 months: 4
shade: darkish bay or brown
Operating model: pacesetter
evaluation: The speedy colt will assist guarantee an trustworthy tempo for Pegasus on Saturday, who got here from a close to miss to win the Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct on December sixth. Though he led the race from begin to end with odds of 14.82 to 1, favourite Bishop’s Bay ran out of steam within the ultimate push and misplaced by a neck. Mika had little to indicate for it within the first 5 races of his profession, however he confirmed his newfound capability as a contender with wins at Delaware Park in Might (a race modified from turf to dust) and Laurel Park in November. He led from begin to end in each races and, as talked about, carried out almost identically in opposition to a harder area within the Cigar Mile. Will Mika have the ability to “steal” Pegasus by controlling the tempo and holding out till late? Troublesome, however not inconceivable.
11. White Avario (4-1)
Jockey: Airado Ortiz Jr.
coach: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Proprietor: C2 Racing Stables, Gary Barber Stables, La Milagrosa Stables
Work historical past: 24 begins – 10 wins – 2 seconds – 3/3
Profession revenue: $7,151,920
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 122
Pedigree: Race Day – “Catching Diamonds” by Into Mischief
12 months: 7
shade: grey or roan
Operating model: stalker
evaluation: The defending Pegasus winner has probably the most spectacular resumes within the area this 12 months, together with a dominant six-and-a-quarter size victory final 12 months and scores within the 2023 Whitney Stakes and Longines Breeders’ Cup Basic. The placing grey or roan racehorse has been extremely praised courting again to 2022, when he received the Florida Derby. Though he dissatisfied in his final three races final 12 months as a 6-year-old, ending fourth twice after which fifth within the Prime Stage Stakes in New York – he was by no means embarrassed in any of these races. Moreover, White Avario had an excuse for ending fifth within the Jockey Membership Gold Cup Stakes after being affected by one other horse who unseated jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. early on. Ortiz Jr. rode White Avario to wins on the Whitney, the Breeders’ Cup Basic and final 12 months’s Pegasus and is again once more Saturday. Though he is been down a bit currently, the 7-year-old is 8-1-0 in 10 profession begins at Gulfstream Park. Look ahead to Ortiz to duplicate the stalk-and-pouncing technique he used with White Avario, who received this race final 12 months.
12. Brother Kenny (30-1)
Jockey: Javier Castellano
coach: Jose D’Angelo
Proprietor: Morplay Racing, Michael Iavarone, Jules Iavarone, TCC Stables, David A. Bernsen, Leon King Steady Corp.
Work historical past: 13 begins – 4 wins – 1 second – third
Profession revenue: $499,528
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 107
Pedigree: Motown – Raramura Princess, by Northern Afleet
12 months: 4
shade: darkish bay or brown
Operating model: stalker/nearer
evaluation: It is easy to root for this unremarkable candidate, however it is going to be onerous to beat Pegasus. Brotha Kenny is a four-year-old gelding with many miles logged. This would be the sixth totally different monitor he has run previously six races. Brothakenny hasn’t completed fourth or worse in 11 begins since October 2024, with maybe his finest efficiency in that span coming within the 1.3/16-mile Bourbon Flight Stakes at Churchill Downs final September. After two races, he scored a half-horse within the 1 1/16-mile Zia Park Derby in late November, however was subsequently bought and transferred to new coach Jose D’Angelo. He’s scheduled to make his first begin for South Florida-based D’Angelo on Saturday and also will make his first begin at Gulfstream Park. It is onerous to see him beating Pegasus, but it surely’s attainable to fill a trifecta or superfecta with lengthy odds.
13. Lightning tone (additionally relevant)
Jockey: Jose Morelos
coach: Jose Castro
Proprietor: JC Racing Stables
Work historical past: 33 begins – 7 wins – 7 seconds – 3 of 6
Profession revenue: $377,085
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 98
Pedigree: Tonalist – Rosesandlightning, by Lightnin N. Thunder
12 months: 6
shade: darkish bay or brown
Operating model: close by
evaluation: The domestically based mostly racehorse might want to break free from the principle 12-horse area whether it is to draw Pegasus to run. Lightning Tones, who has completed within the high three 20 instances in 30 profession begins at Gulfstream Park, can be an enormous likelihood if he have been to make the race. His latest effort was certainly one of his finest, profitable the 1 1/16-mile Sunshine Basic Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths simply two weeks in the past in opposition to a fellow Florida colt. Lightning Tones hasn’t been shy in his few begins in opposition to top-level horses (for instance, he completed fourth behind White Avario in final spring’s Ghost Zapper Stakes Offered by FanDuel TV). Nonetheless, it could be stunning that he bought Pegasus as a late entry.
14. Catalyst (additionally coated)
Jockey: david egan
coach: antonio sano
Proprietor: Tami Bobo
Work historical past: 14 begins – 3 wins – 7 seconds – 1 third
Profession revenue: $362,085
Prime numbers for equal base velocity: 98
Pedigree: Catalina Cruiser – One-off present, Distorted Humor
12 months: 5
shade: bay
Operating model: stalker/nearer
evaluation: For Kataritic to affix the race, two gamers must go away the principle Pegasus area, however that’s unlikely. He’s additionally a horse that has competed primarily at Gulfstream Park, and has a document of three wins, 6 losses, and 1 attract 10 races, together with a runner-up end within the 2024 Florida Derby at odds of 29 to 1. Kataritic completed third in his most up-to-date begin, the Harlan’s Vacation Stakes at Gulfstream in late December, 5 and a half lengths behind Skippy Longstocking and Poster (the 2 horses separated by a head distinction). If this horse have been to attract, he can be greater than sufficient to make up for the 2 longshots in Pegasus, even making an allowance for the race’s favorites.
