Connections of Newgrange bypass Pegasus for San Pasqual
After receiving an invitation to compete in Saturday’s Grade 1, $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, the connections for Newgrange had a decision to make.
Either they could make the cross-country trip to South Florida and compete for a hefty seven-figure pot or remain at Santa Anita and defend their title in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes. After much debate, the call was made to stay home and go for the repeat.
Prompting the decision was the hope Newgrange runs as expected on Saturday and can then make an international trip for a try in the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) on March 30.
“He has to prove himself tomorrow, but if he does and we can go to Dubai then that would be one less ship he’d have to make,” D’Amato said Friday. “That long travel can take a toll on horses. Hopefully we can run a big race here out of our own stall and have an opportunity to go abroad.”
Owned by Little Red Feather Racing, David A. Bernsen and Rockingham Ranch, Newgrange is the 5-2 morning-line favorite to win his second San Pasqual, which is contested at the same 1 1/8-mile distance as the Pegasus. The 5-year-old Violence horse exits a decisive 2 1/4-length victory in the San Antonio (G2) here going 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 26. That effort earned a career-best 99 Beyer speed figure from Daily Racing Form.
“I think he’s as good if not better than last year,” D’Amato said Friday. “He won really nicely the other day. It was top-notch. But what I want to see is consecutive big performances from him. He still needs to prove that.”
Newgrange’s win in the San Antonio came under eastern-based rider Irad Ortiz Jr., who Thursday night won his fifth Eclipse Award as the outstanding jockey of 2023. On Saturday, Newgrange will be ridden for the first time by Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza. The Triple Crown-winning jockey, 52, enters Friday just 1-for-14 at the current meet. Newgrange will be his only mount Saturday.
“Victor worked him last time and was really impressed,” D’Amato said. “I know he has confidence in the horse and has a feel for him, which should help. We’ll see what happens.”
The other key contenders in the San Pasqual are both Newgate (3-1) and Mr Fisk (3-1) for Bob Baffert and Mixto (5-1) for trainer Doug O’Neill.
Mixto is an ascending 4-year-old by Good Magic who finished second to Newgrange in the San Antonio following a one-mile maiden win. He was beaten just 2 1/4 lengths in the San Antonio after making up ground in the stretch, which signals he could benefit from the added distance Saturday.