Disco Time is a key contender for the Pegasus World Cup, with Full Serrano chasing glory

The undefeated Juddmonte runner appears as the main candidate for this Saturday's big race at Gulfstream Park, where the Argentine will try to pull off an upset in his first effort outside of California

Full Serrano faces a tough challenge at Gulfstream Park / BENOIT PHOTO

HALLANDALE BEACH, Miami (Special for Turf Diario).— There are horses that seem destined for greatness from the day they first step onto the training track, and Disco Time is undoubtedly one of them. But this Saturday, the undefeated Juddmonte runner will cease to be a "press release promise" to face the harshest reality: the 1,800 meters of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1). With $3,000,000 at stake and a field of gladiators awaiting him, Brad Cox'spupil must confirm why the 8-5 odds point to him as the centerpiece of the weekend at Gulfstream Park.

Five starts and five photos. That is the resume of the son of the formidable Not This Time, who is coming off dominant performances in the St. Louis Derby (L) and a Dwyer (G1) where he won by nearly 10 lengths. "We’ll know more Saturday, but so far he’s been flawless," Cox remarked with the caution of someone who knows he has a special engine under his care. The question mark, beyond the distance, will be his start from post 1 with Flavien Prat, a position that will force him to come out aggressively to avoid getting pinned in early traffic.

However, the race is far more than a one-man show by the favorite. On the other side stands White Abarrio (Race Day), who, despite not racing since August, knows every inch of the Florida dirt. The defending champion will attempt the feat of a repeat title with Irad Ortiz Jr., despite having to break from post 11. At the same time, the perennial Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) arrives for his fourth consecutive Pegasus with high spirits after a gritty win in the Harlan’s Holiday (G3).

Classic-level class is provided by Tappan Street (Into Mischief), the Florida Derby (G1) winner who already knows what it’s like to defeat the mighty Sovereignty (Into Mischief). And for those looking for an international flavor, the Argentine Full Serrano emerges as a high-value contender. John Sadler's trainee, winner of the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), seeks redemption after his recent fifth-place finish at Del Mar when attempting a repeat.

With Joel Rosario in the stirrups, the South American standout has the stamina and the class to spoil the afternoon for anyone if the pace becomes intense from the break.

The strategic map is completed by names like Captain Cook (Practical Joke), coming in fresh under the hand of Todd Pletcher, and Madaket Road (Quality Road), the entry for Bob Baffert, who always finds his way to the winner's circle in these multi-million dollar events. This won’t be just another race; it will be the gauge that defines whether Disco Timeis a fleeting champion or the new king of the American dirt.