Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) will be aimed at the Jan. 28 GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational after his victory in the GIII Harlan's Holiday S. Saturday at Gulfstream, while the Christophe Clement-trained stablemates City Man (Mucho Macho Man) and Decorated Invader (Declaration of War), first and second in the GII Fort Lauderdale S., will now target the Jan. 28 GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational.
Skippylongstocking won the 2022 GIII West Virginia Derby and was third in the GI Belmont S.
“He's getting better and he's filled out so much,” trainer Saffie Joseph said. “He exceeds all expectations. I never give him that much credit and he keeps delivering.”
Joseph said Skippylongstocking will be joined in the Pegasus by stablemate O'Connor (Chi) (Boboman), who finished fourth as the favorite in the Harlan's Holiday.
“He wears glue-on shoes and they actually separated where one shoe was half on and half off,” Joseph said of the Chilean Group 1 winner's trip in the Harlan's Holiday. “I think that could have been a hinderance. I'd rather lose a shoe than have one half on and half off.”
Also expected to move on to the Pegasus are Harlan's Holiday runner-up Pioneer of Medina (Pioneerof the Nile) and third-place finisher Simplification (Not This Time).
The Christophe Clement-trained stablemates City Man (Mucho Macho Man) and Decorated Invader (Declaration of War), first and second in the GII Fort Lauderdale S. at Gulfstream Park Saturday, will now be aimed at the Jan. 28 GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational.
Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Peter and Patty Searles's City Man got a patient ride from jockey Joel Rosario to find room inside late and surged to a 1 1/2-length victory, while West Point Thoroughbreds, William Freeman, William Sandbrook and Cheryl Manning's Decorated Invader emerged from a three-way photo to get second by a neck.
“The two horses came back in good shape and looked good to me this morning,” Clement said Sunday. “We'll speak to the owners, but the idea would be to train them for the Pegasus.”
The 6-year-old City Man won the GIII Forbidden Apple S. at Saratoga last July and was second in the GIII Bernard Baruch H. before winning a pair of New York-bred stakes in the fall.
“He had some very good races [last] year and we just hope we can keep his form for one more race,” Clement said. “The idea is to run in the Pegasus then we'll pull the plug, send him to Ocala and give him a break afterward.”
Co-owner Dean Reeves, who also campaigned City Man's GI Breeders' Cup Classic-winning sire, was excited about City Man's performance.
“We were thrilled. It's just such a satisfying win and I'm just so proud of City Man and of course his stallion,” he said. “It's a double win for me.”
A three-time graded stakes winner, Decorated Invader had to overcome drawing the outermost post in a full field of 12 in the Fort Lauderdale, but was put into contention right away by jockey Tyler Gaffalione, pressing 34-1 longshot pacesetter Winfromwithin and was still there at the end.
“I thought he ran very well because he had the terrible post. It was very encouraging. Let's not forget he was a very nice 2-year-old. It took me a while to get his form back, but I loved the race yesterday,” Clement said. “As long as both horses are doing well and training well, hopefully we'll be able to run them in the Pegasus.”
Trainer Todd Pletcher said Colonel Liam (Liam's Map) would remain under consideration for the Pegasus Turf following his sixth-place finish as the favorite in the Fort Lauderdale. Colonel Liam, who won the Pegasus Turf in 2021 and 2022, was making his first start Saturday since running ninth in the G1 Dubai Turf last March.
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