Veteran campaigner Skippylongstocking stole the show in Saturday’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, rallying to a 1 3/4-length victory over White Abarrio in a thrilling all-older-horse trifecta, while Hong Kong stars Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising dominated Group 1 spoils at Sha Tin. Mid-Atlantic tracks crowned their weekly standouts with Lonesome Road’s dazzling wire-to-wire win at Laurel Park leading the honors, as emerging talents and gritty invaders lit up the circuits amid a busy weekend slate.
Skippylongstocking Prevails in Pegasus World Cup Thriller
In a showcase for seasoned warriors, Skippylongstocking delivered on his fourth attempt in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park, surging past White Abarrio in the final sixteenth to win by 1 3/4 lengths under chilly winter skies. The seven-year-old rallied from off the pace to complete a veteran trifecta with Serrano third, as heavy favorite Disco Time faded to eighth and Tappan Street trailed last in the 12-horse field. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. celebrated the exacta sweep, noting the Harlan’s Holiday winner’s sharpened form: “It’s incredible—he showed up even better than before.” The victory validates older horses’ enduring class in one of Gulfstream’s marquee events.
Lonesome Road Shines as Mid-Atlantic’s Top Star
Lonesome Road lived up to lofty expectations in Friday’s feature at Laurel Park, powering to a 6 1/4-length romp in a one-mile allowance under a hand ride by Mychel Sanchez, clocking 1:37.72 for a Beyer of 98. The Virginia-bred half-brother to Grade 1 winner Mindframe remains perfect in two dirt starts for trainer Mike Trombetta, boosting career earnings to $76,300. Highlighted as the region’s best in the weekly three-stars rundown, his effortless dominance signals superstar potential for owner Larry Johnson’s estate.
Miss Harriett Edges Foe in Charles Town Feature
Maryland invader Miss Harriett launched a stirring late bid to nose out 3-5 favorite Overnight Pow Wow by a head in Charles Town’s seven-furlong allowance for fillies and mares, contested two hours early due to frigid weather. Arnaldo Bocachica rallied the Brandon MacFarlane trainee past the pacesetter, with Serenade Me rallying for second in the tight finish. Upping her record to 6-1-3 from 15 starts and earnings to $312,110, the Narrow Leaf Farm homebred notched her first win since September 2024 at Laurel, earning top Mid-Atlantic honors for the Friday thriller.
Romantic Warrior, Ka Ying Rising Rule Hong Kong Riches
Hong Kong’s elite confirmed their global prowess at Sha Tin, where Romantic Warrior cruised to his record 12th Group 1 win in the Star Stakes—the Triple Crown opener—pushing career earnings past $31.68 million. Stable star Ka Ying Rising matched stride in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup, notching a 17th straight victory to tie the local mark as the world’s top sprinter. Both fresh off December’s international triumphs, they faced scant resistance, underscoring Hong Kong’s dominance on the world stage.
Nafisa Rolls in Santa Anita Distaff; Knightsbridge Takes Dirt Mile
$1.8 million yearling buy Nafisa stalked stablemate Brilliantly before drawing off by 4 3/4 lengths in the Grade 3 La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita, extending her win streak to three after 12 prior starts. At Gulfstream, favorite Knightsbridge pulled clear by 4 1/2 lengths in the $1 million W. L. McDonald Memorial Dirt Mile under Junior Alvarado, capping a stakes-filled weekend. Perfect Shot meanwhile edged Standoutsensation by a half-length in Sam Houston’s $1 million Houston Classic (G3).
Fear Nothing, Preach It Warrior Highlight Regional Action
Fear Nothing capitalized on a ground-saving trip to win by two lengths in Laurel’s six-furlong allowance, marking his fourth triumph in six outings for owner-trainer Hammy Smith. Parx’s Preach It Warrior extended his streak to four straight in gate-to-wire fashion by three lengths in a claiming route, aided by jockey Andy Hernandez’s riding double. Other notables included Bellofthebluegrass’s six-length rout at Charles Town and Speed’s mile victory in the UAE 2,000 Guineas, eyeing the Kentucky Derby trail.
