The fourth time was the charm for Daniel Alonso’s Kentucky-bred Skippylongstocking Saturday at Gulfstream Park, where the hard-knocking 7-year-old gelding captured the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) in his unprecedented fourth try.
While finally winning the 1 1/8-mile stakes for 4-year-olds and up, Skippylongstocking defeated the 2025 Pegasus World Cup champion and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. stablemate and fellow Kentucky-bred White Abarrio by 1 ¾ lengths.
Skippylongstocking, who prepped for the Pegasus World Cup with a victory in the Dec. 28 Harlan’s Holiday (G3) at Gulfstream, came in a distant third behind White Abarrio last year.
“It’s amazing. At seven years old, he was doing better than ever,” Joseph said. “The Harlan’s Holiday was a big race. It was either, he was going to show up, or he was going to be retired. He showed up, but he did better since then.”
A Kentucky-bred Sweep
White Abarrio, who hadn’t run since finishing fourth in the Aug. 25 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga, made a sweeping move to take the lead on the far turn into the homestretch. Just as the defending champion appeared on his way to achieving back-to-back victories in the Pegasus World Cup, Skippylongstocking began to lengthen stride. White Abarrio opened up a clear lead in mid-stretch but was no match for his rallying stablemate.
“Everything really went to plan. Saffie told me just to ride him with a lot of confidence, be patient with him, trust in his ability and he was there for me every step. The race set up the way we needed to,” Tyler Gaffalione said. “I was able to find a nice spot inside. He traveled well for me. Coming around the turn, he just kept building. And he just kept responding. When we got into the far turn and I had to split horses, and as soon as I did he took a nice deep breath and started moving forward. I’m so thrilled for the team, and so happy for the horse. He really deserved this Grade 1 win.”
Skippylongstocking, who entered the Pegasus World Cup with 12 career wins and more than $3.7 million in purse earnings, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.49 to win the ‘Win and You’re In’ Breeders’ Cup Challenge Race. He earned a fees paid entry into the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
“It just means everything. He’s an amazing horse, and he deserves it,” Alonso said. “Watching the races today we knew it was going to be tough coming from that far back, but he just found another gear today that we hadn’t seen before. To beat a champion like White Abarrio, it’s amazing.”
Fourth time the charm for Skippylongstocking
Joseph had expressed confidence in Skippylongstocking’s chances of victory Saturday despite his three prior failed attempts.
“I had all the confidence in him going into this race, but I was so focused on White Abarrio. I wanted Abarrio to come back and run in this race. I’m so proud of White Abarrio. I can’t believe how he ran for the preparation that he had, to come back the way he just did,” Joseph said. “I’m just proud of both horses and happy for both owners.”