Sharp Azteca's 'impressive' drill leads Pegasus World Cup works

Sharp Azteca breezed five furlongs in a sharp 1:00.60 over a sloppy track at Gulfstream Park West on Saturday in preparation for a start in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park Jan. 27.

The Jorge Navarro-trained son of Freud galloped out six furlongs impressively under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. to finish off a workout that was the fourth fastest of 24 five-furlong drills.

“He was sharp – visually, very impressive. He was clipping off 12’s,” said Pegasus World Cup stakeholder Ron Paolucci, who struck a deal with Sharp Azteca’s owner Ivan Rodriguez last week to run the multiple graded-stakes winner in the world’s richest race.

Sharp Azteca is coming off a dazzling 5 ¼-length triumph in the Cigar Mile (G1) at Aqueduct Dec. 2. The New York-bred 5-year-old launched his 2017 racing season with a victory in the Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) and went on to finish second in the Met Mile (G1), which was followed by victories in the Monmouth Cup (G3) and the Kelso Handicap (G2). He finished second, a half-length back of victorious Battle of Midway, in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 3.

Loooch Racing’s War Story turned also breezed furlongs at Gulfstream Park West in preparation for the Pegasus World Cup, covering the distance in 59.60 seconds, the fastest clocking of the morning.

“Jorge said last week this was going to be his money work for the Pegasus, and he’s one of those he can work however you want him to work,” Paolucci said. “I think we got out of it what we needed."

War Story, who finished fifth in the inaugural running of the Pegasus World Up last year, is scheduled make his first start since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 4.

Gunnevera Continues Pegasus World Cup Preparation

Gunnevera breezed five furlongs in 1:03.60 under jockey Luis Saez at Gulfstream Park West Saturday.

The Antonio Sano-trained 4-year-old, who will run in the Pegasus World Cup for stakeholders William Gallo, Bella Inizio Farm and owner Salomon Del-Vallee, worked in company with stablemate Cheech Thunder.

“It was very good. The track was very sloppy this morning, so I told Luis to take it easy,” Sano said. “He went in 1:03 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:16.”

Gunnevera, who captured this Fountain of Youth (G1) over the Gulfstream Park track, finished in a dead-heat with inaugural Pegasus World Cup winner Arrogate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar last time out.

Others on the Pegasus Work Tab

Singing Bullet and Giuseppe the Great, who are under Pegasus World Cup consideration, breezed at Gulfstream Park Saturday.

• Singing Bullet Workout Video

Stronach Stables’ Singing Bullet breezed five furlongs in 59.83, the fastest of 53 workouts recorded at the distance.

“He worked super,” trainer Dale Romans said. “We’re on the bench. We’re training like we might be called in to play.”

Mossarosa’s Giuseppe the Great shipped from Palm Meadows Training Center for a four-furlong.-breeze in 47.85 over the Gulfstream surface. It was the fifth fastest of 93 at the distance.

• Giuseppe the Great Workout Video

“I’m very happy,” trainer Nick Zito said. “Very comfortable, very relaxing. That’s all I wanted. I’ll work him back next week.”

Source: Gulfstream Park news release