Pegasus World Cup: Power Squeeze, Skinner join main list

Grade 1-winning filly Power Squeeze and Skinner, last-out winner of the Native Diver (G3) at Del Mar, were elevated to the top dozen horses on the second invitation list for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) on Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park.

The 1 1/8-mile Pegasus for 4-year-olds and up is the headliner on a program featuring 10 stakes, seven graded, including the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) and $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G2).

Power Squeeze, the only filly on the Pegasus invite list, is based at Gulfstream with trainer Jorge Delgado. She won five of nine races in 2024, all five coming in stakes highlighted by the Alabama (G1), Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and Delaware Oaks (G3).

Trained by Cherie DeVaux, Skinner rallied for a one-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver on Nov. 23 while under the care of John Shirreffs. It was the first graded triumph for the 4-year-old son of Hall of Famer Curlin after placing four times previously, including thirds in the 2023 Santa Anita Derby (G1) and 2022 Del Mar Futurity (G1).

Power Squeeze and Skinner replace J B Strikes Back and Rattle N Roll on the main invite list, which continues to include Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan, fellow Grade 1-winning millionaires Saudi Crown, Señor Buscador, Stronghold and White Abarrio; Grade 1 winners Locked and Mixto; millionaires Crupi and Skippylongstocking; and Grade 2 winner Imagination.

Society Man, winner of the 2024 Matt Winn (G3), and 2024 Empire Classic winner Mama’s Gold were added to the list of Pegasus reserves, with Rocket Can removed from consideration. Coastal Mission, Cooke Creek, Newgrange, Red Route One, Steal Sunshine and Tumbarumba round out the alternates.

There was no change in the 12 main invitees to the Pegasus Turf: Balnikhov, Battle of Normandy, Formidable Man, Get Smokin, Grand Sonata, Integration, Johannes, Major Dude, Mi Hermano Ramon, Nations Pride, Redistricting and Win for the Money.

Cabo Spirit was removed from consideration among the eight reserves, replaced by three-time Grade 3-placed Siege of Boston. Astronomer, Atitlan, Chasing the Crown, Fort Washington, Gigante, Running Bee and Spirit of St Louis are the other alternates.

Papilio and Watchtower were promoted from the reserve list to replace Mrs. Astor and She Feels Pretty in the main body of the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf. D. J. Stable’s Irish-bred Papilio won Appalachian (G2) and was third in the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) in 2023 and exits a runner-up finish in Gulfstream’s Dec. 21 Suwannee River (G3).

Abbondanza Racing, Omar Aldabbagh and Michael Iavarone’s Watchtower, based in California with trainer Richard Baltas, won the one-mile Autumn Miss (G3) last fall and was fifth in the 1 1/4-mile American Oaks (G1) in December at Santa Anita.

Be Your Best, Bless My Stars, Dona Clota, Fluffy Socks, Minoushka, Ocean Club, Pounce, Prerequisite, Raqiya and Sacred Wish remain on the main invite list. Infinite Diamond, winner of Gulfstream’s 2023 Cash Run, was added to the list of reserves joining Breath Away, De Regreso, In Our Time, Ribaltagaia and See You Around.

The final invitation lists will be released Wednesday.