Robert and Lawana Low's millionaire Colonel Liam, unraced since June 5, continues to progress toward an anticipated title defense in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) Jan. 29 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Colonel Liam breezed three furlongs Friday over the main track at Palm Beach Downs in 37.67 seconds, his second work since arriving in South Florida after going the same distance in 38.26 Dec. 2. His last previous move was July 24 at Saratoga.
“I'm really happy with him so far. Everything's going right on schedule. He looks terrific. He's moving well and we couldn't be more pleased,” Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He had a good break and he's come back really well. He's mature now and looks fantastic.”
Shortened from 1 3/16 miles to 1 1/8 miles for 2022, the Pegasus Turf was the second of four consecutive victories for Colonel Liam and first of three straight graded-stakes wins, capped by the May 1 Turf Classic (G1). He has not raced since finishing eighth in the 1 ¼-mile Manhattan (G1) at Belmont Park.
“He needed some time after that race,” Pletcher said. “He was kind of jarred-up after that, so we decided to freshen him with this in mind. Everything's going to schedule.”
Colonel Liam is a son of Liam's Map, a winner of more than $1.3 million in purses over two seasons also trained by Pletcher. Among his victories, Liam's Map won the 2014 Harlan's Holiday at Gulfstream and the 2015 Woodward (G1) and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
“It's always cool to have offspring of horses you trained,” Pletcher said. “[Colonel Liam] is a horse that we thought could be a horse that we might put on the dirt at some point. He's trained well on it. He's obviously found a home on turf. He's a multiple Grade 1 winner. Maybe we'll step out and try the dirt some time.”
Pletcher said Life Is Good will likely work next week at Palm Beach Downs, either Tuesday or Wednesday. Dominant winner of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) Nov. 6, he is being pointed to a possible showdown with Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Knicks Go in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1).
“He's a very impressive horse to watch train. He's a very willing horse, and because of that, we should have him ready to go,” Pletcher said. “I was impressed [with the Dirt Mile] but not surprised. He's a horse, when you watch him race train and breeze, he does things that very few horses will do.”
Pletcher captured Friday's co-featured third race at Gulfstream with the Lows' My Prankster ($2.20), a 2-year-old son of Into Mischief who pressed Little Vic before edging past the stubborn pacesetter late and win the optional claiming allowance by a half-length as the 1-9 favorite in 1:09.02 for six furlongs. June 5 Woody Stephens (G1) winner Drain the Clock ran the same distance two hours later in 1:08.63.
My Prankster, a $600,000 yearling purchase last September, broke his maiden by 10 lengths in debut Aug. 21 at Saratoga and finished fourth in the Oct. 2 Champagne (G1) in his second start. He ran second by less than a length in the Bowman Mill Oct. 30 at Keeneland last time out.
“I was really happy with My Prankster. It was a tough race and he ran very well,” Pletcher said. “I thought for 2-year-olds to run in 1:09.02 when a Grade 1 winner later on the card went in 1:08.63 was pretty impressive to run that fast. We were kind of hoping to land in a cozy spot and ended up running into a really nice horse. We're pleased that he kept coming and got the job done.”
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