Skippylongstocking and White Abarrio, in good form after Saturday's Pegasus World Cup

Saffie Joseph Jr. begins planning for the future with the horses that finished 1-2 in the big race at Gulfstream Park

Tyler Gaffalione and Skippylongstocking, following their resounding victory in the Pegasus / ADAM COGLIANESE

HALLANDALE BEACH, Miami (Special for Turf Diario).— Still with emotions running high after the vibrant conclusion of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confirmed on Sunday that both Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) and White Abarrio (Race Day) emerged in perfect condition from the multi-million dollar race at Gulfstream Park, taking the opportunity to praise the courage of his two seven-year-old warriors.

The main protagonist was Skippylongstocking, who turned the tables compared to last year's edition—when he finished third behind White Abarrio himself—to finally achieve his long-sought first G1 victory, defeating the defending champion by 1 3/4 lengths in an emotion-filled finish.

Ignored in the betting at odds of 21-1, Daniel Alonso’s representative entered the Pegasus with a resume as solid as it was underrated: 10 graded stakes victories and over US$ 3.7 million in earnings, after being purchased for just US$ 37,000 at the 2021 OBS Spring Sale. However, until Saturday, he had lacked that top-level stamp, having come close in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), the 2024 Stephen Foster (G1), and the 2025 Pegasus.

“He always ran fast enough to win one, but it just wouldn't happen. People criticized him, said he wasn't a G1 horse. And look at him now; he showed up when he had to. He won a race that extraordinary horses have won,” said a visibly moved Joseph.

With Tyler Gaffalione in the irons, Skippylongstocking stalked the pace, letting the strong early rhythm develop in front of him, and in the closing meters launched a precise attack to hunt down White Abarrio mid-stretch, claiming the tenth edition of the race.

The defending champion, a multiple top-level winner, arrived with the most impressive credentials in the field, but his layoff—following a discreet fourth-place finish in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and his controversial scratch minutes before the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile—raised doubts that relegated him to third choice in the wagering. Even so, his performance was remarkable.

“There was a lot of pressure after what happened at the Breeders’. You overthink everything, and you can't train with confidence that way. We didn't know how he was going to respond. To do what he did on Saturday was something special,” Joseph acknowledged.

Regarding the future of both horses, the trainer preferred to remain cautious.

“Nothing is set in stone. We've briefly discussed options like the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and also the Dubai World Cup (G1), but we haven't decided anything yet. We’re going to think it over calmly.”

The Oaklawn Handicap will be held on April 18, while the Dubai World Cup is scheduled for March 28 at Meydan.

For now, the racing world celebrates a story of redemption: that of Skippylongstocking, who left doubts behind and found his coronation in one of the most prestigious races in the world.