About to be run for the ninth time, the Pegasus World Cup Invitational
has come to serve two milestone purposes for its biggest stars.

More than just the first multimillion-dollar Grade 1 test of
the new year, Gulfstream Park’s winter feature provided one last curtain call
for Gun Runner and City of Light. A victory in the Pegasus also launched a
championship season for Knicks Go and may have done so for last year’s winner
National Treasure.

For Mystik Dan, White Abarrio, Skippylongstocking and
Locked, the Pegasus also figures to maintain its newer role as a $3 million
prep for the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) next month and the $12 million Dubai World
Cup (G1) in April.

Even as a cloud of doubt hangs over Gulfstream Park’s
long-term future, the Pegasus party will go forward in the here and now with
$5.67 million worth of stakes Saturday.

The day will be shared with the Southwest Stakes (G3), a $1 million Kentucky Derby 2025 prep at Oaklawn, as well as other key stakes that also take in Santa Anita and Sam Houston.

Saturday

Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), Gulfstream Park, 1
1/8 miles, 4-year-olds and up

There is another role this race could play in 2025.
Redemption. Mystik Dan made a name for himself last year in the Kentucky Derby
as did Señor Buscador in the Saudi Cup and Mixto in the Pacific Classic (G1). With
a combined 10 subsequent losses, each is looking for his first triumph since. The
same goes for Stronghold. Even though he is winless since his Grade 1
breakthrough last spring in the Santa Anita Derby, his three consecutive
seconds include the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and the Malibu (G1). Locked, who
missed most of last year, and Saudi Crown, a three-time stakes victor in 2024,
are the only Pegasus entrants coming in off wins. Locked rallied Dec. 7 in the one-turn
Cigar Mile (G2) at Aqueduct. Saudi Crown scored by two lengths Dec. 21 in the
Tenacious at Fair Grounds.

Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1), Gulfstream
Park, 1 1/8 miles, turf, 4-year-olds and up

With 14 graded-stakes victories in 2024, Charlie Appleby had
his best U.S. season yet. The two-time champion trainer in England is taking
his first swing in this race by entering Nations Pride. The 6-year-old Godolphin
homebred has two Grade 1 wins in the U.S., one in Canada and a Group 1 triumph
in Germany. Victorious last summer in the Arlington Million (G1), he Nations
Pride has started only once in nearly five months, finishing 10th of 12 on Nov.
15 in the Bahrain International Trophy (G2). His rivals in Saturday’s $1
million race include Grade 1 winners Formidable Man from the Hollywood Derby and
Win for the Money from the Woodbine Mile.

Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational (G2),
Gulfstream Park, 1 1/16 miles, turf, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Ireland-bred filly Raqiya made a strong impression in her
first U.S. start, coming back from a three-month break to win the Goldikova
(G3) on the Breeders’ Cup undercard at Del Mar. Before she was transferred to
trainer Todd Pletcher, the now 4-year-old daughter of Blue Point was promoted
from second to first in the Oak Tree (G3) in July at Goodwood, England. Sacred
Wish starts her 5-year-old season fresh off last month’s 12-1 upset triumph in
the Matriarch (G1) at Del Mar. Seven-year-old Fluffy Socks, a four-time
graded-stakes winner, tries again for trainer Chad Brown after finishing a
close fourth last year in this $500,000 race.

Inside Information (G2), Gulfstream Park, 7 furlongs,
fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Xxx.

Fred W. Hooper (G3), Gulfstream Park, 1 mile, 4-year-olds
and up

Xxx.

William L. McKnight (G3), Gulfstream Park, 1 1/2 miles,
turf, 4-year-olds and up

Xxx.

La Prevoyante (G3), Gulfstream Park, 1 1/2 miles, turf,
fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Xxx.

Southwest (G3), Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds,
Kentucky Derby 20-10-6-4-2 points race

With a 25% purse increase to $1 million, the Southwest attracted
three horses who have generated steam in both the nationwide pari-mutuel and Nevada
fixed-odds futures. Grade 1 winner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Gaming represents
Bob Baffert’s try to train his record-extending seventh winner in this race.
Patch Adams was under a hold when he broke his maiden by 10 1/2 lengths Nov. 30
at Churchill Downs, earning a 98 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing
Form. Sandman closed into a slow pace to win a two-turn mile last month at
Oaklawn. Last year Mystik Dan became the third graduate of the Southwest to win
the Kentucky Derby and the second to finish first in both, following Smarty
Jones in 2004.

Martha Washington, Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-old
fillies, Kentucky Oaks 20-10-6-4-2 points race

Xxx.

San Pasqual (G2), Santa Anita, 1 1/8 miles, 4-year-olds
and up

Xxx.

Houston Ladies Classic (G3), Sam Houston, 1 1/16 miles,
fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Xxx.