Video Link for Mystik Dan Work
Video: Power Squeeze, Lone Filly in Field, Works
Saudi Crown, Fluffy Sox Work at Payson
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan continued his preparation for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) by breezing five furlongs in :59.48 Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park.
“We wanted a nice, solid breeze out of him so he got something out of it,” said trainer Ken McPeek. “It was a good next step. We’ll go over him this afternoon and this morning to make sure he’s OK. 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.”
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFKgGxnrDFw
Second in the Preakness (G1) and eighth in the Belmont (G1), Mystik Dan was off for six months before finishing sixth Dec. 26 in the Malibu (G1). McPeek said the 4-year-old son of Goldencents seems to like his surroundings and the track.
“One of the questions coming out of the Belmont…[jockey] Brian Hernandez felt like he didn’t like the sort of deepness of the Saratoga track last summer, and I think this track is more of a skip-along type of racetrack he’ll get over well,” he said. “But he’ll have to do it in the afternoon.”
McPeek said he “just wants to make sure he has what I call a happy week and stays in the feed tub and shows good energy. He’s done well. Lovely horse. Really grand to be around.”
Entries for Pegasus World Cup Day will be taken Sunday, Jan. 26. The post-position draw, along with the odds, will take place in the Carousel Club at Gulfstream Park.
Power Squeeze, Lone Filly in Field, Works
Lea Farms LLC’s Power Squeeze, the only filly expected to run in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup, was also on the Gulfstream track Saturday morning, working five furlongs in 1:01.66.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRD0GxnjOEk
Winner of the Alabama (G1) at Saratoga over the summer, Power Squeeze comes into the Pegasus off a second-place finish here Dec. 26 in the Rampart. The 4-year-old daughter of Union Rags has two wins and a second over the Gulfstream track.
“She went very nice,” said trainer Jorge Delgado. “She breezed really strong and the gallop out was what we expected. She did it really easy. She goes [the Pegasus 1 1/8 mile] distance really well. The last race there was a slow pace in the race and the small field didn’t help her, but it sets her up for this race.
“She loves the distance, she loves the surface, she knows how to win. If there’s a good pace she’ll run a good race.”
Other possible Pegasus runners working Saturday at Payson Park included Grade 1 winner Saudi Crown, an invitee to the Pegasus World Cup, who worked four furlongs in :50, and Fluffy Sox, a favorite in the Filly & Mare Turf (G2), who worked a half mile in :49.40.
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 and training centers 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); Laurel Park, The Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (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 XBTV. 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.