Skippylongstocking delivered a thrilling stretch run to capture the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Saturday, overtaking stablemate and defending champion White Abarrio to give trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. a memorable 1-2 finish in Gulfstream Park’s $3 million feature.
The 7-year-old multimillionaire entire by Exaggerator, owned by Daniel Alonso, came from seventh early to flash past White Abarrio in deep stretch, winning by 1 3/4 lengths in the 1 1/8-mile race around two turns on the fast main track. Skippylongstocking covered the distance in 1:48.49, with early fractions of 22.25, 46.08, 1:09.87, and 1:35.54.
Ridden expertly by Tyler Gaffalione from post 5, Skippylongstocking bided his time around the first turn and through the backstretch before unleashing a powerful late charge. Meanwhile, seven-year-old White Abarrio, the 3-1 winner of last year’s Pegasus, overcame post 10 to take command coming out of the second turn under Irad Ortiz Jr., appearing poised to make history as the first-ever Pegasus repeat winner.
However, Skippylongstocking proved unstoppable, surging wide to claim the victory and return $45.20, $14.20, and $7.20. White Abarrio finished second, paying $6.60 and $4.60, while Full Serrano (9-1) closed to take third at $6.40 to show. Captain Cook (18-1) and British Isles (83-1) rounded out the top five.
Post-time favorite Disco Time (3-2) struggled to find footing, finishing seventh, and several longshots—including Lightning Tones (99-1) and Brotha Kenny (64-1)—also failed to threaten the leaders. Madaket Road and Catalytic were scratched prior to the race.
The victory earned Skippylongstocking $1,686,000, boosting his career record to 36 starts: 13 wins, 3 seconds, and 7 thirds, with total earnings of $5,461,250. White Abarrio collected $562,000 for second place, raising his career earnings to $7,713,920.
Saturday marked the 10th running of the Pegasus World Cup, a race that evolved from the $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1). Its first three editions were remarkable for massive purses of $12 million, $14 million, and $9 million, funded in part by the sale of starting slots, before the event transitioned into its current added-money stakes format.
Skippylongstocking’s victory not only secured another prestigious Grade 1 triumph but also reinforced his reputation as one of the sport’s most exciting and versatile older horses—a fitting conclusion to another electric chapter in Pegasus World Cup history.
