Cox, Baffert, Pletcher Aiming For More Pegasus Glory

Trainers Brad Cox, Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher all have victories to their credit in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. and each of the three champion trainers will have an opportunity to add to those numbers in this year's $3-million feature Saturday, Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

Cox, who won the the 2021 renewal with Knicks Go (Paynter), looks set to be represented by a pair of entrants in the nine-furlong contest. Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), front-running winner of the GI Pennsylvania Derby last September, will seek to become the second Saudi-owned winner of the Pegasus as he looks to bounce back from a 10th in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' First Mission (Street Sense) is also among the 12 invitees and will have the chance to turn the tables on Trademark (Upstart), who beat him a nose when last seen in the GII Clark S. at Churchill Nov. 24.

National Treasure (Quality Road), whose sire accounted for 2019 Pegasus winner City of Light, can give Baffert a third Pegasus, joining inaugural winner Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) as well as Mucho Gusto (Mucho Macho Man). Winner of last year's GI Preakness S., the bay was just touched off by Cody's Wish (Curlin) when last seen in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Pletcher is represented by Grand Aspen (Dialed In) in the main body of the race, who earned his ticket to the Pegasus with a narrow defeat at the hooves of O'Connor (Chi) (Boboman) in the GIII Harlan's Holiday S. at Gulfstream Dec. 30.

In addition to O'Connor, the Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee might be joined by his stable companion Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), the GII Charles Town Classic winner who was last seen finishing third in the Dirt Mile.

Also among the invitees are Hoist the Gold (Mineshaft), winner of the GII Cigar Mile H. trying to stretch out to nine furlongs; Newgrange (Violence), last-out winner of the GII San Antonio S.; Cigar Mile runner-up Senor Buscador (Mineshaft); GIII Smarty Jones S. hero Il Miracolo (Gun Runner); and multiple Argentinian Group 1 winner Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify), fourth in the San Antonio.

Defending champion Atone (Into Mischief) is among a dozen invitees to the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf, but looks to face a field much stronger on paper than 12 months ago. Chief amongst the opposition is Godolphin's Master of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who might make another trans-Atlantic trip having taken a photo in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has been kept busy by trainer Aidan O'Brien, as she proved an unlucky loser in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in November ahead of a third in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase last time. Arguably the most intriguing among any of the Pegasus invitees is Integration (Quality Road), who was unbeaten in three smashing victories at three in 2023, including the GIII Virginia Derby and GII Hill Prince S. Webslinger (Constitution) won three of his nine starts last term, a season that might have been even more productive but for near misses in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. and GI Hollywood Derby. Main Event (Bernardini) earned his spot in the field with an all-the-way success over Kingmax (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the GII Fort Lauderdale S. Dec. 30.

Chad Brown won the inaugural GIII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf with Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) in 2022 and has two chances to double his tally in the form of GI Matriarch S. runner-up Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}) and MGSW Consumer Spending (More Than Ready). Queen Goddess (Empire Maker) is winless in four starts since defeating the Brown-trained Shantisara (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}) in last year's renewal.

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Constitution Colt Kicks Off Gulfstream Card with ‘Rising Star’ Performance

Born Noble (c, 2, Constitution–Zapperkat, by Ghostzapper) was as green as the St. Elias Stable silks he was carrying, but overcame his inexperience with a powerful 'TDN Rising Star' performance for Todd Pletcher at first asking in the opener on Pegasus Preview day at Gulfstream Park.

The 6-5 favorite jumped well from his outside draw and secured a perfect spot in second behind second-time starter and 6-5 second-choice Bonus Move (Twirling Candy). Born Noble cruised up alongside the pacesetter at the five-sixteenths marker and took over with authority at the top of the stretch.

Hanging on his left lead as they straightened for home, Born Noble lugged in sharply while well clear following a pair of left-handers from jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. He leveled off from there while racing under a snug hold after finally switching over before the sixteenth pole and crossed the wire 5 1/2 lengths to the good. Big City (City of Light) tagged Bonus Move for second.

Born Noble, a $725,000 KEESEP yearling, is the ninth 'Rising Star' for Constitution. The Constitution x Ghostzapper cross is also responsible for GSW & GISP Law Professor.

The winner's dam Zapperkat, third as the favorite in the 2016 GI Chandelier S., was disqualified from first and placed second for interference in the following year's GIII Torrey Pines S. Purchased by WinStar Farm for $485,000 as a broodmare prospect at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Zapperkat is also responsible for a Constitution yearling filly ($170,000 KEESEP purchase by Shaker Stable). Zapperkat was bred to Life Is Good for 2024. This is the extended female family of two-time champion Silverbulletday (Silver Deputy).

1st-Gulfstream, $60,000, Msw, 12-30, 2yo, 7f, 1:24.27, gd, 5 1/2 lengths.
BORN NOBLE, c, 2, by Constitution
                1st Dam: Zapperkat (GISP, $128,520), by Ghostzapper
                2nd Dam: Noelle Rose, by Lion Heart
                3rd Dam: Rokeby Rosie, by Prized
Sales history: $725,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $36,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-St. Elias Stable & West Point Thoroughbreds; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.

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Pegasus Preview Day at Gulfstream Park Saturday

Gulfstream Park's Saturday program will offer four stakes races– three graded–including the GIII Harlan's Holiday S., a prep for the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, and the GII Fort Lauderdale S., a prep for the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational.

The Harlan's Holiday drew a field of 11, including last out GII Hagyard Fayette S. winner and 5-2 morning-line favorite O'Connor (Chi) (Boboman); last year's GII Remsen S. winner Dubyuhnell (Good Magic), who returned from the shelf with an optional claiming win at Keeneland Oct. 28; and the streaking $1.7-million OBS April graduate and 'TDN Rising Star' Signator (Tapit), who makes his stakes debut for trainer Shug McGaughey following two straight wins at Aqueduct Oct. 21 and Nov. 12.

“In the Keeneland race, he was off the pace, but he was handy the whole way. He was into the bridle and traveled well for Tyler (Gaffalione),” trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. said of O'Connor's win in the Fayette. “If he can travel the same way, it will increase his chances Saturday.”

The Fort Lauderdale has attracted a field of 10, including the Chad Brown-trained duo of 2-1 morning-line favorite Running Bee (English Channel), who resurfaced from a lengthy layoff with a wire-to-wire victory in an optional claimer at Aqueduct Nov. 17; and Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), runner-up in the 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Turf. The latter adds blinkers following a fifth-place finish in the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. Oct. 7.

The 11-race card at Gulfstream also includes: the GIII Suwannee River S. and the Rampart S.

Santa Anita, meanwhile, boasts a pair of grassy graded races Saturday, the GII Joe Hernandez S. and the GIII Robert J. Frankel S.

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Weekly Rulings: December 19-25

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

Among the key rulings from the last week, trainer Bonnie Lucas was suspended seven days after a post-race Xylazine positive in a sample taken from Tankinator, who was injured and vanned off in a race at Parx Racing on Nov. 7. Xylazine is a Class B controlled medication under HISA that can be used to sedate racehorses.

It remains unclear whether Tankinator was euthanized as a result of his injuries sustained that day.

The 5-year-old gelding was having his first race for Lucas, having been claimed out of the Webster Gayle barn on Oct. 21. In a post-race sample taken Oct. 21, Tankinator tested positive for the corticosteroid Dexamethasone, a controlled medication commonly used as an anti-inflammatory.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 11/13/2023
Licensee: Librado Barocio, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Sugar Fish. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/13/2023
Licensee: Librado Barocio, trainer
Penalty: Treated as 1 violation with Sugar Fish under 09/08/23 HISA Guidance. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Barristan the Bold. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/08/2023
Licensee: Ilmar Loaiza, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Roseinthesky, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 11/8/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/07/2023
Licensee: Bonnie Lucas, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on December 27, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Xylazine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Tankinator, who was pulled up and vanned off in a race at Parx Racing on 11/7/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 09/28/2023
Licensee: Terry Eoff, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbomal—Controlled Medications (Class C)—in a sample taken from Kentucky Dawn, who finished second at Remington Park on 9/28/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 12/08/2023
Licensee: Victor Barboza, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Long Range Toddy. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 10/30/2023
Licensee: Robert Fiesman, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Little Four, who was euthanized after breaking down in a race at Mahoning Valley on 10/30/23, according to Equibase. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/06/2023
Licensee: Luis Mendez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Big Celebration, who finished third at Santa Anita on 10/6/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Mahoning Valley
Erik Barbaran – violation date Dec 19; $250 fine, eight-day suspension, no further details of ruling

OTHER KEY RULINGS
The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.
The following was taken from the ARCI's “recent rulings” webpage, which isn't always updated contemporaneously.

FLORIDA
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 12/6/2023
Licensee: Alexis Camano, trainer
Penalty: suspended license
Violation: Unpaid financial obligations
Explainer: FINAL ORDER # 2022-051619 = F.S. VIOLATION – FINANCIAL OBLIGATION TO TEIGLAND, FRANKLIN, & BROKKEN, D.V.M.'S, INC. – LICENSE SUSPENDED BEGINNING 12/6/2023 FOR A PERIOD EXTENDING UNTIL ALL OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN FULLY SATISFIED.

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 12/6/2023
Licensee: Aubrey Maragh, trainer
Penalty: 15-day suspension, $1.500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: FINAL ORDER 2023-003854 – F.S. 550.2415 VIOLATION = 5 HYDROXYDANTROLENE. “MODAZZLE” $1500 FINE, 15 DAY SUSPENSION – DATES TO BE DETERMINED BY STEWARDS, AND RETURN OF PURSE IMPOSED

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 12/6/2023
Licensee: Andry G. Blanco, owner
Penalty: suspended license
Violation: Unpaid financial obligations
Explainer: FINAL ORDER # 2023-046372 = F.S. VIOLATION – FINANCIAL OBLIGATION TO TEIGLAND, FRANKLIN, & BROKKEN, D.V.M.'S, INC. LICENSE SUSPENDED BEGINNING 12/6/2023 FOR A PERIOD EXTENDING UNTIL ALL OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN FULLY SATISFIED.

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