Graded forecast calls for Loaded Pegasus, southwest winds ‘pointing’ towards Oaklawn

The English polymath John Ruskin, always hard at work writing a well-timed observation that a future generation could co-opt, said when it came to the weather: “Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind keeps us up, snow is exciting; there really is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”

Well bully for you mr. Ruskin! Send him a cane and put him to work on the nearest grass field. Some may offer a completely different observation after recent events. What we do know about the state of the weather is that it has been severe across the lower 48.

In an effort to focus on sunnier times ahead, if we’re talking about delicious and exciting things, how about the pending graded stakes on Saturday?

As part of a ‘refreshing’ afternoon, my colleague Christina Bossinakis brought us a well-timed historical perspective regarding Saturday’s renewal of the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park. Reporting from Hallandale’s back, her story behind ‘TDN Rising Star’ locked (Gun Runner) for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher tells us why the signature race for older horses was designed as such some nine years ago and how it has become a springboard for colt prospects.

Of course, we know this Pletcher entry isn’t a lock. The 4-year-old is up against some formidable opponents in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic hero White Abarrio (Race Day), Derby Winner Mystery Dan (Goldencents), GISW Saudi crown (Always Dreaming) and GISW Mixed (Good magic). Look for Locked’s stablemate Croup (Curlin), GI Santa Anita Derby hero from last year stronghold (Ghostzapper) (covered yesterday by Bossinakis in TDN) and dismissal runner Newgrange (Violence) to make some noise contrary to the two digits.

Nations Pride wins Arlington Million at Colonial | Coady Media

If that forecast doesn’t cheer you up, don’t forget Gulfstream’s undercard. The schedule is filled with six other graded races.

GI Pegasus World Cup Turf issued an invitation to Nations Pride (Ireland) (Teofilo {Ire}) and the 6-year-old Godolphin homebred accepted. The potential race time favorite has a trio of Grade I wins in North America for trainer Charlie Appleby. The only question mark is his fitness level. If the homebred is ready to fire, then his class can win the day.

“He (Nations Pride) has always shown a good level of ability going from 2 to 3 and from there he’s progressed throughout his career,” Appleby said. “We found that the conventional tracks, the flat tracks in America and Dubai, suited him. So that’s why he’s mainly been campaigned internationally. I think 10 furlongs is probably his most ideal luck if you want him into something like that, but I don’t see why the nine should be a bother.”

There are others drawn in here with more than a fighting chance. Integration (Quality road) will look to avenge his loss to Nations Pride, which he suffered in the GI Arlington Million at Colonial Downs in August. He also hasn’t been seen since the fall when he won the GII Red Smith Stakes at Big A. Trainer Shug McGaughey entered Integration in this race last year and, after going out favorite, finished fifth.

“I think he’s (integration) done well,” McGaughey said. “Pegasus last year was kind of a last-minute thing. I had planned to give him some time off and run him at Keeneland, and we decided to run here for the money. He didn’t get the best rides. Tyler (Gaffalione) rode him. He had him down inside and just couldn’t get him out when he wanted to. I think with all the trouble he was in, it was a believable run.”

If you fancy a longshot in the Pegasus Turf that gets a cut in distance, go for it Balnikov (Ireland) (Adaay {Ire}) that time. Conditioned by Phil D’Amato, the 6-year-old has primarily raced on the grass tracks of Southern California. But last May he enjoyed a soft grass track at Pimlico and won the GII Dinner Party Stakes.

Sticking to the same surface, the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf promises to offer some real value when it comes to betting because there is no prescribed deserving favourite. Definitely, Shadwell Stables Raqiya (Ireland) (Blue Point {Ire}) has some English form that is welcoming and holy wish (Not this time) boasts a last-out win in the GI Matriarch Stakes at Del Mar on Dec. 1.

Dona Clota in the Gulfstream paddock schooling | Lauren King

More exciting, however, is a post like Dona Clota (Chi) (Ivan Denisovich {Ire}), who won a couple of Grade 1 races in his native Chile. Now she joins trainer Ignacio Correas’ outfit for Resolute Racing. Another name to remember is See you (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). The filly began her career in France, was sent to race for Christophe Clement’s live stable, and she took home a black-type over this course last month.

The rest of the Gulfstream undercard includes a match between MGSW Mystic Lake (Against Town) v MGSW Emery (More Than Ready) in the GII Inside Information Stakes, and a rematch between the 1-2 players from the GIII Harlan’s Holiday Stakes follows, Rocket can (Into Mischief) and Tumbarumba (Oscar performance). They strike out again in the GIII Fred W. Hooper Stakes. Finally, a pair of turf distance tests will be administered in the GIII La Prevoyante Stakes and the GIII WL McKnight Stakes.

To return to problems that lie in the cloud of the harsh black, Oaklawn Park regularly deals with what Ruskin would call “various kinds of good weather.” Arkansas is especially susceptible to a cold blast in January, and Hot Springs was certainly on the receiving end of another good sock this time. The Derby and Oaks series in ‘The Natural State’ – both offering 20-10-6-4-2 on the road to Churchill in May – are back on track Saturday with the GIII Southwest Stakes and Martha Washington Stakes, respectively.

First, Southwest has drawn a field of 10, and is blowing into town for Bob Baffert is Eclipse Nominee & GISW Game (Game winner). Finished in early November as runner-up in the GI FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to freshly minted champion 2-year-old male & stablemate Citizen bull (Into Mischief), the dark bay is looking to get back on track after he ran a distant third in the December 14 GII Los Alamitos Futurity.

Gaming is operating for the first time over the local strip at Oaklawn | Coady Media

“He (Gaming) went from the top 12 to nowhere,” Baffert said. “That’s how it is in this industry. You are only as good as your last race. He ran a big race in the Breeders’ Cup. Maybe I was a little too easy on him for Los Al. I wasn’t sure if I should run in there and then decided at the last minute that I would drive him there. He just didn’t bring his ‘A’ game that day. Has just been slightly worked up in the fold. He was too fresh. He didn’t bring it and that’s what happens.”

Gaming will have to contend with a few tough customers in GSP Sandman (Carpet) and Patch Adams (Into Evil). The former — a March $1.2 million OBS purchase — tuned into that spot by clearing an optional claimant at Oaklawn on Dec. 13, while the latter earned a ‘TDN Rising Star’ otherwise asked when he won by an eye-popping 10 1/2 lengths at Churchill Downs in late November.

As for Martha Washington, look out ‘TDN Rising Star’ Quietside (Malibu Moon) to take care of business for Shortleaf Stable and trainer John Ortiz.

The graded weekend also includes the salty GIII Houston Ladies Classic Stakes for older women at Sam Houston Race Park, and at Santa Anita we have the GII San Pasqual Stakes for older men.

In Mr. The spirit of Ruskin is here for various kinds of good character racing on Saturday.