The Graham Motion 1-2: Test Score graduated with honors in the Pegasus Turf

He finished ahead of the South African-bred One Stripe and led a 1-2 sweep for the British trainer at Gulfstream Park

Test Score and Manny Franco, in a great victory / ADAM COGLIANESE

HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida (Special for Turf Diario).— Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream Park did not only celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Pegasus World Cup, but it also became the stage for a tactical exhibition by Graham Motion. The British-American trainer achieved a rare feat in races of this caliber by occupying the top two steps of the podium in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1), thanks to the class of Test Score and the drive of the South African One Stripe (One World).

Test Score, a son of Lookin At Lucky bred and owned by Amerman Racing, confirmed that his 3-year-old campaign was no fluke. After a 2025 season where he had already secured the Belmont Derby (G1), the bay faced older horses for the first time in the 1,800 meters of the Florida turf. Under the guidance of Manuel Franco, he stopped the clock at 1m47s04/100, taking the lion's share of the US$ 1,000,000 purse and pushing his total earnings past the US$ 2 millionmark.

The race unfolded with Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile) setting the pace through fractions of 23s71/100 and 47s23/100, closely followed by Major Dude (Bolt D'Oro) and Cugino (Twirling Candy). Meanwhile, Manny Franco kept Test Score stalking the pace, saving ground along the rail in fourth position. As they entered the home stretch, a gap appeared and Motion’s pupil did not hesitate: he overtook the leaders mid-stretch and, although he briefly looked to wait for his rivals once he took the lead, he showed a second gear when the pressure was on.

The most serious threat came from his own stable. One Stripe, the South African superstar, unleashed a cinematic rally down the outside under Gavin Lerena. In a photo finish, Test Score held off his stablemate's charge by just a neck, completing a perfect exacta that paid US$ 17.20 to win.

“I felt very good about my horses, but I had been running all day and hadn’t been able to win anything until now,” confessed Graham Motion after the success. “This was the icing on the cake. Test Score will now have a well-deserved rest to return in the spring, while One Stripe's future is limitless; the distance helped him tremendously today.”

The podium was completed by the surprising Almendares (Havana Grey), who managed to edge out another outsider, Astronomer (Air Force Blue), by a head. The great disappointment of the race was the favorite Program Trading (Lope de Vega), who was never a factor and finished in fifth place, just outside the prize-money positions.

For Motion, the victory has a special flavor not only because of the result but also because of the quality of the owners: “It’s a bit bittersweet that One Stripe finished second because his owners traveled all the way from South Africa to watch him run. He is a truly good horse, and you will be hearing a lot about him this year,” the trainer predicted. The Pegasus Turf has a new owner, and it’s a "perfect score" for the Fair Hill team.