Defending winner Knicks Go continues to headline the updated list of invitees for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 29 at Gulfstream Park.
Korea Racing Authority's Knicks Go, likely to be named 2021 Horse of the Year next month, is most prominent among the 12 names on the second invitational list for the 1 1/8-mile stakes for 4-year-olds and up, which will headline a blockbuster card that will also feature the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) and the first edition of the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G3T).
Knicks Go, who registered a dominating 2 3/4-length front-running victory in last year's Pegasus World Cup and concluded his 2021 season with a dazzling victory in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar, also headlined the initial invitation list on Jan. 9. Others on both the first and second invitation lists include Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Life Is Good , Dirt Mile runner-up Ginobili, Happy Saver , 2019 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sir Winston , and Super Stock . Chess Chief , Fearless, Law Professor, Olympiad , Stilleto Boy, and Title Ready were added to the second list of 12 invitees.
The reserves on the second list of invitations are American Theorem , Commandeer, Endorsed , Forewarned, and Happy American.
Flavius, a Juddmonte homebred, was purchased by Mike and Jules Iavarone, with Meah/Lloyd Bloodstock as agent, for $230,000 out of the WinStar Racing consignment at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Now with trainer Mike Maker, he has been added to the list of invitees for the Pegasus World Cup Turf, a 1 1/8-mile turf stakes for 4-year-olds and up. The multiple stakes winner formerly trained by Chad Brown replaces Two Emmys on the second invitation list, which is once again headed by defending winner Colonel Liam , who captured last season's Pegasus Turf by a neck over Todd Pletcher stablemate Largent. Other horses on both the first and second invitation lists include Channel Cat , Cross Border, Doswell, Field Pass, Hit the Road, March to the Arch, Never Surprised, Point Me By, Sacred Life , and Space Traveller.
The reserve invitees on the second list for the Pegasus Turf are Atone, Bob and Jackie, English Bee, and Law Professor.
Bipartisanship, who rallied from off the pace to capture the Tropical Park Oaks at Gulfstream last time out for trainer Graham Motion, and Stunning Princess, who finished a close second the Tropical Park Oaks for trainer Danny Gargan, are new additions to the second invitation list for the first running of the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Others on both the first and second invitation lists for 1 1/16-mile turf race for older fillies and mares include Alms, Bodhicitta, Gift List, In a Hurry, Lady Speightspeare, Nicest, Regal Glory, Shifty She, Summer in Saratoga, and Sweet Melania.
