Gafflione leads Skippylongstocking to the front for his first win in Grade 1, Coglianese Photo
Gulfstream Park Press
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – The fourth time was the charm for Daniel Alonso Skippy longstocking Saturday at Gulfstream Park, where the hard-hitting 7-year-old gelding captured the elusive $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) in his unprecedented fourth attempt.
The 10th edition of the Pegasus World Cup brought down the curtain on a spectacular 13-race, 10-stakes, seven-grade program worth $5.675 million in prize money, including the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) and the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G2).
While ultimately winning the 1 1/8-mile stakes for 4-year-olds and older, Skippylongstocking ($45.20) defeated 2025 Pegasus World Cup champion and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. stablemate White Abarrio by 1 ¾ lengths.
Skippylongstocking, who prepared for the Pegasus World Cup with a win in the Dec. 28 Harlan’s Holiday (G3) at Gulfstream, had finished seventh in 2003, didn’t finish in 2004 and finished a distant third behind White Abarrio last year.
“It’s amazing. When he was 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 retire. He showed up, but he’s done better since then.”
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione calmed the 7-year-old son of Exaggerator at a brisk pace of Disco timethe 3-2 favorite who, under Flavien Prat, showed the way past fractions of 22.25 and 46.09 seconds during the first half mile. Gaffalione continued to wait for Skippylongstocking while Disco Time continued to lead the way, pursued by Full Serrano And Captain Cookwho were connected to their outside world by White Abarrio on the way to the far bend.
White Abarrio, who had not run since finishing fourth in the Aug. 25 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga and who had been scratched by vets just before the start of the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar, made a dramatic move to take the lead on the turn into the homestretch. Just as the defending champion seemed on his way to back-to-back victories in the Pegasus World Cup, Skippylongstocking began to increase his pace as horses split into pieces, suddenly presenting the greatest danger. White Abarrio, the 3-1 third betting pick ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., opened a clear lead at the halfway point but was no match for his stablemate.
“Everything really went according to plan. Saffie told me to ride him with a lot of confidence, be patient with him and trust his abilities, and he was there for me every step of the way. The race went the way we needed it to,” said Gaffalione. “I was able to find a nice spot inside. He traveled well for me. When he came around the corner, he just kept building. And he just kept reacting. When we got to the far corner and I had to split the horses, he took a deep breath and started moving forward. I’m so happy 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 victories and more than $3.7 million in earnings, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.49 to win the ‘Win and You’re In’ Breeders’ Cup Challenge Race and earned a paid entry into the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
“It just means everything. He’s a great horse and he deserves it,” said Alonso. “When we watched the races today we knew it was going to be tough coming back from so far away, but he just found another gear today that we hadn’t seen before. To beat a champion like White Abarrio, it’s amazing.”
Joseph had expressed confidence in Skippylongstocking’s chances of victory on Saturday, despite his three previous failed attempts.
“I was very confident coming into this race, but I was so focused on White Abarrio. I wanted Abarrio to come back and compete in this race. I’m so proud of White Abarrio. I can’t believe the preparation he had, to come back like he just did,” Joseph said. “I’m just proud of both horses and happy for both owners.”
C2 Racing Stable LLC, Gary Barber and White Abarrio of La Milagrosa Stable LLC, a 7-year-old who entered the Pegasus World Cup with 10 career wins and more than $7.1 million in purse earnings, finished 5 ½ lengths ahead of third-place finisher Full Serrano.
“He ran a great race. He ran his race. He has a big heart. I trust him, I trust Saffie. He hadn’t run in a long time, so I think it’s not easy to come back here at a mile and an eighth and run against his horses,” said Ortiz, who guided White Abarrio to a 6 ¼ length victory in the Pegasus World Cup last year. “To do what he did, it’s amazing. I’m so happy for this horse. He’s a very cool horse. He’s given me a lot over the years. I don’t want him to be defeated. He’s a fighter.”
Captain Cook held on to finish fourth. Disco Time faded to eighth place and his trainer Brad Cox Jr. stablemate Tappan Steet, the 2025 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) winner who was the 3-1 betting pick, was never a factor and finished 12th and last.
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