HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — White Abarrio’s bid to become the first to win back-to-back $3 million Pegasus World Cup titles has been thwarted.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.’s bid was not approved. Finally, jockey Tyler Gaffalione is also a Pegasus winner.
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Skippylongstocking ended up being the winner of Gulfstream Park’s richest race, defeating White Abarrio in the Grade 1 Pegasus on Saturday. Skippylongstocking has competed in the Pegasus three times before, finishing seventh in 2023, not finishing in 2024, and finishing third last year.
This time, he beat all his opponents at odds of 21 to 1, taking home prizes of $45.20, $14.20, and $7.20 respectively.
“He deserves it,” a tearful Joseph said after the game. “But I’m just proud of White Abarrio, how he ran. … Don’t take anything away from Skippy. This was a day where he delivered.”
For Joseph, this was a contradictory moment. White Abarrio – the 2025 Pegasus winner who was scratched in the Breeders’ Cup last year and has not raced since – was one of the favorites in the race and few thought 7-year-old Skippylongstocking had what it takes to be first to the finish line.
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“Everything went according to plan,” Joseph said.
White Abarrio was leading near the finish and looked safe before Joseph’s other horse knocked him down. It was Skippylongstocking’s 36th career race and his 13th victory, and his lifetime earnings jumped about 50% after the race, to about $5.5 million.
Ghaffarion is the only jockey to have competed in all 10 Pegasus races, but has never won so far.
“Safi told me to ride with confidence,” Gaffalione said.
White Abarrio took home $6.60 and $4.60, and Full Serrano finished third with $6.40.
Pegasus Day is a major event at Gulfstream Park, with 10 stakes races, seven of which are graded, and prize money of up to $5.675 million. It’s the only day of the year at Gulfstream racing that fans have to pay to get in – and some pay big bucks to get in.
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Celebrities flocked to the game; actor and producer Mark Wahlberg performed his customary shout of “Riders up!” shortly before the game, and he used the opportunity to give the New England Patriots a chance before they face the Denver Broncos for a Super Bowl berth on Sunday.
“Racing fans, this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the 10th Pegasus World Cup,” Wahlberg said, smiling behind him as Gulfstream Park CEO Belinda Stronach, who has always wanted Pegasus to be the marriage of celebrity and horse, smiled behind him. “To sports fans everywhere and to my nation of patriots, we have it all, we have everything we need. Riders up!”
Test results win Pegasus World Cup turf
Trainer Graham Motion finished first and second on the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf, beating One Stripe on a test score at the end of the 1 1/8-mile race.
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Almendarez retained third place with a long shot of 37-1.
Test Score, driven by Manuel Franco, paid $17.20, $7.40 and $5.40 respectively. One Stripe paid $5.80 and $4.80, and Almendares’ sponsors received a $14.60 showing fee.
Program Trading – once listed as a 1-9 spot before becoming a 6-5 favorite after a huge pre-race win bet was placed on him – failed to capitalize on what looked like a great run and finished fifth.
Destino d’Oro wins Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf titles
Destino d’Oro made a big closing move by winning the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Mare Turf Invitational with a 15-1 victory over Crevalle d’Oro by a final score of 70-1.
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Junior Alvarado rode the winner from the back of the 12-horse field for trainer Brad Cox to victory and returns of $33.20, $14.40 and $10.20. Crevalle d’Oro paid $26.40 and $15.40, with Movin On Up ($6.60) in third place.
Exact Match – Destino d’Oro defeats Crevalle d’Oro – Bet $1 and get a massive $281.80 return.