Pegasus World Cup Features Supported by Four Other Graded Stakes – Nominations Lists for Jan. 27 Undercard Stakes Attract Top Talent

By David Joseph —-

Maryquitecontrary; Lauren King Photo

Pegasus World Cup Features Supported by Four Other Graded Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – The $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) and $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2) will be supported on Gulfstream Park’s Jan. 27 star-studded program by four other graded stakes that have attracted nominations of many prominent stakes performers from prominent North American stables.

The $200,000 Inside Information presented by Don Julio Tequila (G2), drew 23 nominations on a list of older fillies and mares topped by Rodney Lundock’s Maryquitecontrary, the seven-furlong stakes’ defending champion. The late-running 5-year-old daughter of First Dude is coming off an impressive victory in the Dec. 30 Rampart at Gulfstream in her first start for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. Last year, Maryquitecontrary captured the Rampart before winning the Inside Information and finishing a close-up third in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland. Vegso Racing Stable’s Imonra and Sheri Greenberg Racing and Staghawk Stables’ Unifying, who finished second and third, respectively, in the Rampart, are also on the Inside Information noms list.

Southern California-based Phil D’Amato is represented on the Inside Information noms list by Michael Dubb and Michael Caruso’s Hot Peppers, who is coming off a second-place finish in the Jan. 1 Las Flores (G3) at Santa Anita. The Florida-bred 5-year-old daughter of Khozan launched her career by winning three of four starts at Gulfstream.

Pamela Ziebarth’s Sweet Azteca, a late-developing 4-year-old daughter of Sharp Azteca, has been nominated to the Inside Information after finishing third, 1 ¼ lengths behind runner-up Hot Peppers, in the Las Flores in only her second career start. Trainer Michael McCarthy saddled City of Light for a victory in the 2019 Pegasus World Cup.

The $150,000 Fred W. Hooper presented by Whispering Angel (G3), a mile stakes for older horses, received 29 nominations, including Albaugh Family Stables LLC’s Cyclone Mischief, who finished third behind Forte and Mage in last year’s $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1). The Dale Romans-trained son of Into Mischief is coming off a fourth-place finish in a Nov. 26 allowance at Churchill Downs in his first start since finishing off the board in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Romans is also represented on the noms list for the 37th running of the Hooper by Albaugh Family Stables LLC and West Point Thoroughbreds’ Giant Game, who won the Cornhusker last year.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has nominated Zedan Racing Stables Inc.’s Hejazi, who is coming off a second-place finish in the Dec. 26 Malibu (G1) at Santa Anita, and SF Racing LLC and partners’ Fort Bragg, who captured the Dwyer (G3) at Belmont following a fifth-place finish in the Curlin Florida Derby last year.

The $200,000 William L. McKnight presented by Florida Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association, a 1 ½-mile turf stakes for older horses, drew 34 nominations on a talent-deep list topped by Red Rafa Stud Inc’s Planetario, a Brazilian import who most recently captured the Nov. 24 Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) at Del Mar. Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella also saddled the 6-year-old campaigner for a victory in the San Juan Capistrano (G3) at Santa Anita.

Trainer Chad Brown is represented on the McKnight noms list by three horses, including Peter Brant’s Francesco Clemente, an Irish-bred son of Dubawi who was beaten by just a neck by the Mandella trainee in the Hollywood Turf Cup. Brown’s other nominees are Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb, Wonder Stables, Michael Kisber and Michael Caruso’s Rockemperor, a Grade 2 stakes winner, and Westberg, Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor’s Stone Age.

Harrell Ventures LLC’s Main Event, who is coming off a victory in the Fort Lauderdale (G2) at Gulfstream, is nominated to the McKnight, but is also on the invitation list for the Pegasus World Cup Turf. Michael Hui and Phil Forte’s Value Engineering, who finished second in the McKnight last season before winning the Mac Diarmida (G2), is one of Michael Maker-trained horses nominated to the McKnight.

The $150,000 La Prevoyante (G3), a 1 ½-mile turf stakes for older fillies and mares, drew 17 nominations, led by Team Valor International LLC’s Romagna Mia, a 5-year-old British-bred daughter of Mastercraftsman. The Graham Motion trainee is coming off a seven-length romp in the Dec. 26 Via Borghese at Gulfstream that following a three-length score in the Dowager (G3) at Keeneland. Motion-trained Sister O’Toole, who is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, has also been nominated to the La Prevoyante following a third-place finish in the Red Carpet (G3) at Del Mar.

Averill Racing and Two Eight Racing LLC’s R Calli Kim is prominent on the La Prevoyante noms list after winning her four most recent starts for trainer Brendan Walsh, including an impressive 2 ½-length victory in the Long Island (G3) at Aqueduct last time out.

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