Report: Red Smith winner Master Piece may point to Pegasus Turf

Master Piece, who won the Grade 3 Red Smith at Aqueduct on Saturday, may point toward the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf on Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

Trainer Rick Dutrow has not made a final decision to race Master Piece in the Pegasus Turf, according to an article Monday at Paulick Report, which said he still needed to discuss plans with the ownership group. According to a Monday report from David Grening of Daily Racing Form, however, co-owner Michael Iavarone is enthusiastic about pointing Master Piece there, describing the idea of winning the Pegasus World Cup Turf with Dutrow as an "incredible story."

Master Piece made a mild late rally for seventh in the 2023 Pegasus World Cup Turf, crossing the wire three lengths behind Atone. At the time he was owned by a similar partnership including owner Iavarone, but trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr.

A 7-year-old ridgling by Mastercraftsman, Master Piece has made three starts since moving to the barn of Rick Dutrow. He finished second in a conditioned allowance at Belmont on July in his first start for his new trainer. Though he finished a weakening tenth in the Arlington Million (G1) at Colonial Downs on Aug. 12, he returned strongly three months later in the Red Smith, his first outing since then.