The $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1T) will celebrate a new winner Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park as the two-year reign of Colonel Liam came to an end last week when he was retired. In his place, a highly competitive field of 12, with two also-eligible entrants, will tangle in what will be the first, but certainly not the last, major turf stakes of the year.
1. Wit (8-1 morning-line odds): Newly turned 4-year-old closed fast and narrowly missed posting a grade 1 win in the Hollywood Derby. This will be his first race against older horses and, while drawing the rail is a big boost, he'll need to take a step forward to be a major factor in a field this tough.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
2. Good Governance (15-1): Had some trouble and rallied to finish fourth in the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G2T), the key prep for this race. He was 65-1 in that race and should be a longshot again, but he can have a say in the outcome with a clean trip.
JOCKEY: Shaun Bridgmohan; TRAINER: Anna Meah
3. Atone (12-1): Turned in a good effort in this stakes last year, finishing fourth. Put in a sharp performance to win an allowance race in his most recent start and, with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle, should be able to grab the early lead or sit right off it. He figures to be tough to overhaul in the stretch.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Mike Maker
4. Hurricane Dream (15-1): Makes his U.S. debut after registering some good efforts in European group stakes. He seems to do his best running on firm courses, which adds to his appeal. Without a standout American star in the field, it would be unwise to overlook a talented overseas shipper like this one, especially with Frankie Dettori aboard.
JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Graham Motion
5. One More Bid (20-1): Won the Mile (G2T) at Santa Anita Park as a longshot, but is on an upswing and could be a factor if he handles the added furlong here with aplomb. Does seem a little light on seasoning as he broke his maiden just two starts ago.
JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Ryan Hanson
6. Lady Speightspeare (6-1): This 5-year-old mare certainly has the credentials to be competitive here after finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T). Her speed figure in that race was as good as anyone else in the field can muster, and females did quite well against their male counterparts last year. Definitely deserves some consideration here.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Roger Attfield
7. Speaking Scout (8-1): Won the Hollywood Derby and, like third-place finisher Wit, is facing older horses for the first time. Seems like he could use a little more seasoning before facing elite competition in a race like this.
JOCKEY: Paco Lopez; TRAINER: Graham Motion
8. Who's the Star (20-1): Ships in from Canada on a nice roll, winning three straight, although they all came the synthetic surface at Woodbine. He's won 2 of 3 turf starts, but he flopped in his lone graded stakes try on grass, raising some questions about his standing in this field.
JOCKEY: Emma-Jayne Wilson; TRAINER: Mark Casse
9. Decorated Invader (15-1): Reverted to top form last time out with a strong second in the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes. He hasn't posted a graded stakes win since 2020 but if he can duplicate his last try, he'll be in the mix here.
JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Christophe Clement
10. Ivar (5-2): He comes off a string of three grade 1 races in which he was fourth and second twice to paint him as a main contender. Yet they were all at a mile, capped by the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T), so there's room for concern about his chances at a mile and an eighth.
JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: Paulo Lobo
11. Master Piece (10-1): Was no factor in the 1 1/2-mile Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T), but Master Piece won a grade 2 stakes at this distance in July 2022 at Del Mar. There are things to like but the post and a lack of success at the grade 1 level work against him.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr.
12. City Man (4-1): He opened some eyes with a convincing win in the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes that gave him the look of the favorite for this race. Yet fate was not kind to this highly consistent New York-bred as he landed the outside post. He'll need a great trip to avoid the kind of ground loss that can spell the difference between winning and losing.
JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Christophe Clement
13. King Cause (also-eligible, 30-1): Will need a scratch to run. He'll also need a big step forward in class after finishing ninth in the Ft. Lauderdale.
JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Mike Maker
14. Steady On (also-eligible, 30-1): Will need two scratches to wind up in the starting gate. Gets back on turf here after a narrow loss on a synthetic Tapeta Footings surface. Faces a tough challenge in his graded stakes debut.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
THE PICK: Atone
LIVE LONGSHOT: Hurricane Dream
SUPERFECTA: 3-4-12-6
