 Starlight Racing will be represented by Neolithic in the upcoming $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), scheduled to be held for the first time Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, the dark bay colt is a son of former Starlight Racing color bearer Harlan's Holiday, and has won two of his seven starts. After finishing a strong second in the Discovery Stakes (G3) in November, he came back to romp by nine lengths in an allowance race at Gulfstream in December. Since that race, he has clocked a bullet workout Dec. 31 at Palm Beach Downs (four furlongs in :48 3/5).
Jack Wolf, Starlight Racing's founder and co-managing partner, is also the chief operating officer of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational, and assembled a group of stakeholders to purchase a slot in the Pegasus World Cup called Starlight Pegasus Partners.
"The race is shaping up to be one for the ages with the likes of California Chrome and Arrogate," said Wolf. "But Neolithic showed some real talent and class with his win at Gulfstream Park last month and has been training great since that race. We are excited to be part of such a big day for horse racing."
Pletcher will also saddle Keen Ice in the Pegasus World Cup after owner Donegal Racing worked out a deal with stakeholders Ronald and Jerry Frankel. Third behind Arrogate and California Chrome in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Keen Ice is winless since his upset of Triple Crown champion American Pharoah in the 2015 Travers (G1), most recently finishing second in the Harlan's Holiday (G3) Dec.17 at Gulfstream.
Neither of multiple graded stakes winners Stanford or Madefromlucky are being pointed to the Pegasus World Cup, Pletcher said, but could wind up on the undercard in the $400,000 Poseidon, also for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles. The stablemates finished first and fourth, respectively, in the Harlan's Holiday.
"I think right now the plan would be for Stanford to go in the Poseidon and Madefromlucky...I need to talk to the connections about it," Pletcher said. "He's a possibility for the Poseidon or also maybe shipping out of town."
Other horses confirmed for the Pegasus World Cup are Eragon (Jim McIngvale), Semper Fortis (Reddam Racing), Shaman Ghost(Adena Springs) and War Story (Dan Schafer/Loooch Racing & Partners). |
