The last dance for two queens in the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park

Heredia and Caitlinhergrtness will be retired following the race, where Whiskey Decision appears as the heavy favorite

Whiskey Decision targets a major victory at Gulfstream Park / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida (Special for Turf Diario).— The 10th edition of the Pegasus World Cup (G1) is more than just a showcase for fast horses and millionaires; this Saturday, the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G2) serves as a stage for farewells and unsettled scores. Over the 1,700 meters of the Gulfstream Park turf, and with a $500,000 purse, a dozen stakes winners—7 of them with graded honors—promise one of the most unpredictable and exciting battles for bettors on a day projected to have multi-million dollar pools.

For two exceptional mares, this Saturday's finish line will mark the end of an era. Caitlinhergrtness, the courageous daughter of Omaha Beach who shot to fame by defeating the boys in Woodbine's prestigious King’s Plate, arrives after securing the My Charmer (L) at Turfway Park. “We decided to give her one more shot because she’s in great shape,” admitted trainer Kevin Attard. The mare has proven to be a model of consistency whenever competing in two-turn routes, her preferred territory.

In a similar situation is Heredia. The Graham Motion trainee, a descendant of Dark Angel, will hang up her racing plates after this performance. Winner of the Yellow Ribbon (G2) and with standout performances at the highest level in Keeneland and Del Mar, she looks to close her career on a high note. “I convinced the team to run her here; it would be a beautiful way to end a story that required a lot of patience,” Motion noted.

The favoritism, though highly divided, falls on Whiskey Decision. The daughter of the great Into Mischief trained by Chad Brown arrives backed by her victory in the Athenia and seeks to add her second graded success after previously winning the Eatontown (G3).

However, the local contingent is formidable. Saffie Joseph Jr., who defended his home turf last year with Be Your Best (Muhaarar), will attempt a back-to-back with two strong cards: In Our Time (Not This Time), who was third in this very race last year and is coming off a second-place finish in the Matriarch (G1), and Movin’ On Up (Accelerate), a true specialist on this track who holds the course record at Gulfstream.

From the Mark Casse barn, hopes are pinned on And One More Time (Omaha Beach), winner of the Natalma (G1)at age 2, who seems to have regained her best form after a long layoff, and Classic Q (Classic Empire), a mare that, while lacking a graded win, has been a fearsome competitor in her recent stakes appearances.

The race will also feature British talent through Breath Away (Bated Breath). Miguel Clement's pupil knows the Florida turf to perfection (boasting a 2-2-1 record) and will be ridden by Oisin Murphy, looking to capitalize on her recent and brave effort at Del Mar.

A detail that analysts are not overlooking is the historical trend of this race: since its inception in 2022, position during the first half of the race has been decisive. With the exception of the historic Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom), the last winners (Queen Goddess, Didia, and Be Your Best) always traveled near the pace. In such a balanced field, the early development and positioning before turning into the home stretch could be worth half the trophy.