Pegasus: 'Different' Hoist the Gold shoots for 2-turn win

Hoist the Gold’s credentials heading into Saturday’s Grade 1, $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational stack up well against those of his rivals entered in the headliner of Gulfstream Park’s 13-race program.

A Grade 1 stakes-placed multiple graded-stakes winner, however, has one conspicuous gap in the resume, a victory around two turns. Not that the Dallas Stewart-trained 5-year-old has had a whole lot of opportunities to stretch out.

“He’s by Mineshaft out of a Tapit mare,” Stewart said. “We tried two turns one time. It was a year ago, but he’s a different horse now.”

The millionaire one-turn standout launched his 2023 racing season in the 1 1/16-mile Mineshaft (G3) at Fair Grounds last February while seeking his first victory in more than a year. He showed the way for a half-mile before weakening to fourth.

Hoist the Gold will make his second two-turn start Saturday after producing two victories and best performances of his career from his three most recent starts. The homebred veteran captured the six-furlong Phoenix (G2) at Keeneland on Oct. 6 before finishing sixth in the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita. He bounced back with a stunning 4 1/2-length front-running triumph at Aqueduct in the Dec. 2 Cigar Mile (G2). Hall of Famer John Velazquez has been aboard Hoist the Gold in his three recent starts.

“He’s trained terrific for the race. His works have been just fabulous. We think it’s a winnable race if he handles the two turns,” Stewart said. “John thinks he’ll get the distance. It’s a $3 million race and something we needed to look at. We did and came to the conclusion that we needed to run.”

Hoist the Gold, who drew the no. 4 post position, is rated at 12-1 on the morning line.