Skippylongstocking rallies in stretch, wins $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream

Hallandale Beach, Florida, witnessed a stunning upset at Gulfstream Park on Saturday as Skippylongstocking, a 21-1 longshot, captured the $3 million Pegasus World Cup. The victory denied White Abarrio a historic bid for back-to-back wins in the prestigious race, but marked a triumphant moment for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and jockey Tyler Gaffalione.

A Day for Upset Victories

Skippylongstocking’s win was particularly notable given his previous attempts in the Pegasus. He had competed in the race three prior times, finishing seventh in 2023, being disqualified in 2024, and securing third place last year. This time, however, the 7-year-old surged in the stretch to overtake White Abarrio, returning $45.20, $14.20, and $7.20 on a $2 wager.

Did You Know? Tyler Gaffalione is the only jockey to have participated in all ten editions of the Pegasus World Cup.

Despite the disappointment of White Abarrio’s defeat, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. expressed pride in both of his horses. “He deserves it,” Joseph said, visibly moved, referring to Skippylongstocking. “But I’m just proud of White Abarrio, how he ran… Take nothing away from Skippy. This was his day to deliver.” White Abarrio had been favored, especially after being scratched at the Breeders’ Cup last year.

Pegasus Day Beyond the Main Event

The Pegasus World Cup is a major event at Gulfstream Park, featuring ten stakes races with a total purse of $5.675 million. It’s the only day of the year at Gulfstream where admission is charged, attracting a significant crowd and celebrity attendees. Actor and producer Mark Wahlberg even delivered the “Riders up!” call before the race, incorporating a shout-out to the New England Patriots.

Turf and Filly & Mare Turf Results

The $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf saw a victory for Test Score, trained by Graham Motion, who secured both first and second place with One Stripe finishing close behind. Test Score paid $17.20 to win. In the $500,000 Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf Invitational, Destino d’Oro, at 15-1 odds, made a late surge to win, narrowly defeating Crevalle d’Oro. The exacta paid a substantial $281.80 for a $1 wager.

Expert Insight: The significant payouts in both the Pegasus World Cup and the Filly & Mare Turf highlight the unpredictable nature of horse racing and the potential for substantial returns for those willing to bet on longshot contenders.

A notable event in the Pegasus World Cup Turf involved Program Trading, the 6-5 favorite, who unexpectedly finished fifth after a large wager had been placed on the horse, briefly dropping its odds to 1-9.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times had Skippylongstocking run in the Pegasus World Cup before winning?

Skippylongstocking had run in the Pegasus World Cup three times prior to Saturday’s race, finishing seventh in 2023, not finishing in 2024, and third last year.

Who called “Riders up!” before the Pegasus World Cup?

Actor and producer Mark Wahlberg gave the customary “Riders up!” call shortly before the race.

What was the total purse money available on Pegasus Day?

The total purse money available across the ten stakes races on Pegasus Day was $5.675 million.

Will Skippylongstocking’s victory propel him to further success in upcoming races, or was this a peak performance capitalizing on favorable conditions?