Pegasus Prep for Colonel Liam in Fort Lauderdale

Robert and Lawana Low's Colonel Liam (Liam's Map) will line up in Saturday's GII Fort Lauderdale S. at Gulfstream Park as the lone prep for his attempt at a third consecutive victory in the $1-million GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational. The gray was last seen finishing ninth in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan Mar. 26.

“Ideally, we wanted a little bit more time between races back to the Pegasus, but it is what it is,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He runs well off the layoff so, hopefully, he runs well there and moves forward for the big one.”

Colonel Liam is drawn widest of all in post 12 with Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard.

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APB: ‘Rising Star’ Munnys Gold Nearing Return at Gulfstream

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack tracks down top horses on the sidelines.

'TDN Rising Star' Munnys Gold (f, 2, Munnings–Haraawa, by Medaglia d'Oro), missing in action since airing by 14 1/2 lengths with a gaudy 101 Beyer Speed Figure on debut at Monmouth Park June 17, is targeting the upcoming $100,000 Glitter Woman S. at Gulfstream Park.

“She's been back in full training with Todd [Pletcher] now for about three months,” said Jacob West, advisor to owners Robert and Lawana Low.

“She's being pointed towards the Glitter Woman. It was supposed to be on New Year's Day, but the race didn't fill. They backed it up a week, and, hopefully, some more horses show up and we can get lucky there.”

Munnys Gold, a $92,000 FTKNOV weanling turned $300,000 FTKJUL yearling, has posted nine workouts at Pletcher's Palm Beach Downs base since late October, most recently covering four furlongs in :50.33 (32/56) Dec. 24. Her worktab also includes a four-furlong bullet in :48.79 (1/25) Nov. 26.

“She's a tough filly to train in the mornings,” West said. “She's very aggressive in her training. Todd and his staff have done an incredible job with her. They seem like they've got her in a really good groove now.”

As for what kept Munnys Gold on the sidelines, West added, “She just had a little bruised foot. And it was one of those things–it was just stinging and stinging and stinging. It took her a while to get over. Mr. and Mrs. Low are incredible owners and incredibly patient. We just were extra cautious with her because we know she has talent and ability. We took our time and brought her back slowly. It seems to be all systems go right now.”

Munnys Gold earned the highest Beyer Speed Figure for a 2-year-old filly in her lone start in 2022. The distant runner-up finisher that day Alma Rosa (Sharp Azteca) has since added a win in Delaware's White Clay Creek S. and a runner-up finish in Monmouth's Sorority S.

The second winner from as many to make the races for her unraced dam, Munnys Gold hails from the extended female family of champion 2-year-old colt Anees. The Munnings over Medaglia d'Oro cross is also responsible for GIII Longacres Mile H. winner Barkley. Munnys Gold, bred in Florida by Nicksar Farms, is one of 10 'Rising Stars' for her leading sire.

“She overimpressed us and we're hopeful that she can continue on and live up to the hype from the first race,” West concluded.

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Join Announcer Pete in the Booth to Help TAA

Beginning Dec. 26–Opening Day of Gulfstream Park's Championship Meet–fans will be able to meet and watch track announcer Pete Aiello call a race while helping to retrain, rehome and retire Thoroughbreds. For a $50 donation per person, up to six fans can watch Aiello call a race from the announcer's booth with the proceeds going to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).

“The TAA is very grateful to the team at Gulfstream Park and Peter Aiello for this unique and fun way to raise funds and awareness for aftercare. We hope fans of racing will embrace this experience to have an exciting birds-eye view of Thoroughbred racing while joining Pete and supporting a great cause,” said Stacie Clark-Rogers, TAA's Operation Consultant.

Aiello, a native of West Palm Beach, grew up attending the races at Gulfstream, Hialeah Park and Calder Race Course. A graduate of the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program, he called races at River Downs, California fairs and Oaklawn Park before arriving at Gulfstream in 2016.

“I love meeting racing fans and I applaud the efforts of the TAA so it is a perfect marriage. I look forward to showing everyone a great time raising money for a great cause,” Aiello said.

For more information contact Stacy Nicks at stacy.nicks@gulfstreampark.com.

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White Abarrio To Train Up to Pegasus

C2 Racing Stable LLC and La Milagrosa Stable LLC's White Abarrio (Race Day) will not have a prep race for the $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. at Gulfstream Park, trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. confirmed Saturday.

“He runs well fresh. He's proven he runs well fresh,” Joseph said. “He's 4-for-4 at Gulfstream, so that's a good thing. It's his home track.”

The $40,000 OBS March juvenile won a pair of starts in Hallandale late last season before adding the GIII Holy Bull S. in February and the GI Curlin Florida Derby Apr. 2. He was last seen finishing third, beaten under a length, in the GI Cigar Mile H. at Aqueduct Dec. 3.

Joseph has two other candidates for the Pegasus. Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), third behind Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) and  in the GI Belmont S. and winner of the GIII West Virginia Derby, and O'Connor (Chi) (Boboman) worked five furlongs Saturday morning at Palm Meadows in advance of the GIII Harlan's Holiday S. Skippylongstocking was timed in 1:00.35 (4/18), while G1 Latinoamericano victor O'Connor went the same distance in 1:03.20.

“Skippy, he had a good work this morning. He worked well for the Harlan's Holiday,” Joseph said. Of O'Connor, Joseph added, “He had a quick breeze last week. He's plenty fit so we're just keeping him ready for the race.”

O'Connor has one stateside appearance to his credit, a six-length romp in an Oct. 16 optional claimer over 8 1/2 furlongs.

Also on the South Florida worktab Saturday was GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. hero Simplification (Not This Time), who prepped for the Harlan's Holiday with a five-furlong drill over the Gulfstream main track that was clocked in 1:00.23 with jockey Junior Alvarado up. It was his fourth breeze since finishing a troubled seventh in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Nov. 5.

“He went very well, he galloped out [six furlongs] in 1:13,” said trainer Antonio Sano, who celebrated his 900th victory in the U.S. when Major Pryce (Bucchero) aired in Saturday's second race. “This is important for me and my family. I work hard every day for my owners and my family. I have nothing but gratitude for the people of the United States for opening their arms for me,” he said.

All things equal, Simplification will also use the Harlan's Holiday as a springboard to the Pegasus.

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