Pegasus World Cup 2026
Madaket Road, five times graded-stakes placed including last summer’s Woody Stephens (G1), replaces recently retired stablemate Goal Oriented representing Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on the final list of invitees for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus for 4-year-olds and up, headlining a spectacular program featuring 10 stakes, seven graded, worth $5.55 million in purses complemented by world-class dining and entertainment.
SF Racing et al.’s Madaket Road has been third or better in six of nine career starts for purse earnings of $580,000. Though primarily a sprinter he has had two previous attempts around two turns, finishing second in the 1 1/16-mile Rebel (G2) and fourth in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby (G1), the latter at Gulfstream, last winter.
Baffert previously won the Pegasus World Cup with Arrogate, whose victory in the inaugural 2017 running came in a still-standing track record 1:46.83, Mucho Gusto in 2020 and 2023 Preakness (G1) winner National Treasure in 2024. Goal Oriented, winner of the Dec. 28 Malibu (G1) in what turned out to be his career finale, was retired to stud duty at Spendthrift Farm Jan. 11.
Tappan Street, winner of the 2025 Florida Derby over subsequent Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont (G1) and Travers (G1) hero Sovereignty, and Brad Cox-trained stablemate Disco Time, undefeated through five career starts including three consecutive stakes, continue to top the list of Pegasus invitations along with $7 million earner White Abarrio, who won last year’s race by a Pegasus-record 6 ¼ lengths.
White Abarrio’s Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained stablemate, Daniel Alonso’s Skippylongstocking, is invited to make an unprecedented fourth start in the Pegasus. The 7-year-old has 12 wins, 10 in graded-stakes, and nearly $3.8 million in purses from 35 career starts.
Touchuponastar, 19-time career winner of more than $1.6 million in purses, has been removed from Pegasus consideration, replaced by alternate British Isles. Slam Dunk Racing, trainer Richard Baltas and Jerry McClanahan’s British Isles exits a second in the Nov. 22 Native Diver (G2) at Del Mar.
Remaining on the invitation list are 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Full Serrano, millionaire Banishing, 2024 Remsen (G2) winner Poster, stakes winners Brotha Kenny and Captain Cook, and Cigar Mile (G2) runner-up Mika. Tristar Farm’s Doc Sullivan, a multiple New York-bred stakes winner, is the first alternate.
Here’s the link for the updated invitation/nominations list by January 14th:
https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbHorsemenAreaDownloadAction.cfm?sn=SN-GP-20260124-597994
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