After two unsatisfying performances in Gulfstream Park's richest race, hard-knocking Skippylongstocking is back for another try Jan. 25 in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1).
Daniel Alonso's 6-year-old horse was seventh in 2023 and was pulled up and walked off a year ago. Nevertheless, he went on to have a very successful 2024 campaign including three graded stakes wins and earnings of $1,498,800.
With his third start, Skippylongstocking will equal the record for Pegasus World Cup appearances with War Story and Seeking the Soul .
"The horse has been super healthy and just a great horse," Alonso said. "We're just hoping he shows up. The last two years we haven't had a lot of luck here at the Pegasus."
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. will saddle both White Abarrio and Skippylongstocking in the Pegasus. In 28 career starts, the son of Exaggerator has earned $3,092,985. Alonso purchased the horse for a modest $37,000 as a 2-year-old at the 2021 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training from the Top Line Sales consignment, and he grew into a dependable stakes runner with nine career victories.
"He's been an amazing horse for us and for our family," Alonso said. "We've been able to travel all over the country to run in the biggest races in the country and are really enjoying it. Obviously, he hasn't had the grade 1 success that we'd like, (but has) three thirds in grade 1s. We're still hoping for that elusive win."
The Pegasus World Cup will be Skippylongstocking's first start since he finished sixth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
In the Dirt Mile, Skippylongstocking drew the outside post, starting from post 13.
"I thought the Breeders' Cup was so good. It was such a good run," Joseph said. "He tried his butt off from a bad, bad post. He's coming into the race well. Skippy's been knocking on the door. He's going to break through in one of these grade 1s soon. It's only a matter of time. Maybe Pegasus Day might be the day for him."
Since entering Joseph's barn as a 2-year-old in 2021, Skippylongstocking has developed into the leading earner in Joseph's career.
"He's been our hard-knocking consistent horse, and exceeded every expectation," Joseph said. "Even when we didn't have Abarrio, at that time he held down the fort for us. He kept us together. He kept us whole, so we owe him everything."
Skippylongstocking will start from post 10 Saturday with jockey Tyler Gaffalione in the irons, who piloted the bay to victories in the 2024 Challenger Stakes (G3) and 2023 Charles Town Classic Stakes (G2).
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
