Robert and Lawana Low's Colonel Liam continues to do well out of his comeback race in the Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G2T) on New Year's Eve at Gulfstream Park and remains on course for a third consecutive appearance in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1T) Jan. 28. He won the Pegasus World Cup Turf in 2022 and 2021.
Racing for the first time in over six months after a ninth-place finish in the Dubai Turf (G1T) in Dubai, Colonel Liam raced in striking distance from a wide draw in the Fort Lauderdale and came up empty late to finish sixth, beaten less than four lengths under Irad Ortiz Jr.
Colonel Liam was prominent among a dozen horses on the initial invite list to the Pegasus Turf, released Jan. 4.
"He seems like he's in good shape, so we're still planning on the Pegasus Turf, assuming that he trains accordingly," Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said.
Repole Stable's Never Surprised is one of 11 reserve invitees to the Pegasus Turf. A three-time stakes winner, including the 2021 Tropical Park Derby, the 5-year-old son of Constitution was beaten only a length in last year's race and exits a runner-up finish in a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance Dec. 17 at Tampa Bay Downs, his first race after more than a nine-month hiatus.
"He's doing well (and) looks good," Pletcher said. "We're thinking the same thing with him. If he breezes the way he should, we're planning on giving him another try."
Invitations to the Pegasus Turf, $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), and $500,000 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G3T) will be updated Jan. 11 and 18.
Pletcher said the Pegasus World Cup is under consideration for Sumaya U.S. Stables' Pioneer of Medina, second by two lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Harlan's Holiday Stakes (G3) Dec. 31.
"I think it's on the radar," he said. "We'll see how he trains. I've got to talk to the owner, and we'll come up with a plan."
Pioneer of Medina ran fourth in the Risen Star (G2) and third in the Louisiana Derby (G2) last winter before finishing far back in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He has won one of four subsequent starts, setting the pace for a half-mile in the Harlan's Holiday and digging in late to edge 2022 Fountain of Youth (G2) winner Simplification by a neck for second.
"He's not a horse that really shows that much speed, but he got a good start and put himself in a good spot, and he was traveling well. I thought it was a good effort from him," Pletcher said. "It looked like he fought on hard to the wire and was able to (get up) for second."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
