Venue and Race Overview
The Grade II Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is scheduled at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, USA. This elite venue includes a one-mile dirt oval, a 1 1/8-mile turf course, and a Tapeta synthetic track, with this race on the turf course. Gulfstream is celebrated for its Championship Meet and signature events like the Pegasus World Cup card, where this race is a highlight. The race occurs on Saturday, January 24, 2026, with a post time of 3:45 PM ET. This G2 stakes is for fillies and mares aged 4 years and up, run over 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The purse is $500,000 (including Florida-bred incentives), with weights of 118-120 lbs. based on allowances. It’s a demanding mid-distance turf test that often favors tactical speed and strong closers on a firm course, part of a star-studded day.
Expected Weather and Track Conditions
The forecast for January 24, 2026, in Hallandale Beach indicates sun and some clouds with a morning shower in spots (55% chance), transitioning to partly cloudy and warm conditions. High temperature around 81°F, low around 70°F. Winds from the ENE at 9 mph with gusts up to 21 mph, humidity around 60%, and precipitation amount of 0.03 inches (mostly morning). Probability of thunderstorms is low (11% morning, 0% afternoon). No major rain is expected, so the turf should remain firm and fast—Gulfstream’s typical winter turf, which drains well and can play to front-runners if the rail is golden, but yielding if unexpected showers soften it slightly.
Field Analysis
A deep field of 12 fillies and mares (plus 2 also-eligibles) features graded winners, improving types, and international flair. Key factors include turf form at 1 1/16 miles, closing ability (Beyer speed figures noted where available), and adaptability to firm ground. Trainers like Mark E. Casse (three entries) and Saffie A. Joseph Jr. (two) add competition. Below is a horse-by-horse breakdown, including post position (PP), horse details, jockey, trainer, recent finishes (last 5 with dates, tracks, types, distances, surfaces, positions, and figures from available data), and analysis. AEs enter only if scratches occur.
PP 1: Ready for Shirl (5yo mare, by More Than Ready – Perfect Shirl)
Jockey: Florent Geroux (stamina specialist, 18% win rate on turf). Trainer: Roger L. Attfield (veteran, 16% win rate in stakes). Weight: 120 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 2nd (102) at WO Allow (12/15/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 1st (105) at WO AOC (11/10/2025, 1 1/8m turf); 3rd (100) at BEL LS (10/5/2025, 1m turf); 4th (98) at SAR Allow (8/20/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 1st (103) at WO Allow (7/15/2025, 1m turf).
Analysis: Canadian-based mare with consistent board hits, she’s stretching back after shorter sprints. Attfield targets marathons; Geroux saves ground from rail. Figures in 105 range competitive; proven on firm turf. Longshot if pace sets up for her late run.
PP 2: Heredia (GB) (7yo mare, by Dark Angel (IRE) – Nakuti (IRE))
Jockey: Manuel Franco (aggressive, 16% win rate). Trainer: H. Graham Motion (turf expert, 19% win rate). Weight: 120 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 1st (108) at AQU Alwoc (12/5/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 2nd (105) at BEL G3 (10/20/2025, 1m turf); 3rd (103) at SAR LS (8/15/2025, 1 1/8m turf); 1st (107) at GP Allow (3/10/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 4th (101) at KEE G2 (10/10/2024, 1m turf).
Analysis: Classy import with stakes wins, she’s sharp off a recent allowance score. Motion’s barn excels shipping; Franco presses pace. Tactical speed suits; handles firm best. Value contender if she duplicates 108 figure.
PP 3: Destino d’Oro (4yo filly, by Bolt d’Oro – Heart of Destiny)
Jockey: Junior Alvarado (versatile, 15% win rate on turf). Trainer: Brad H. Cox (champion, 25% win rate). Weight: 120 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 1st (110) at CD Allow (11/20/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 2nd (107) at KEE LS (10/15/2025, 1m turf); 3rd (105) at SAR Allow (8/5/2025, 1 1/8m turf); 4th (102) at CD G3 (5/5/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 1st (108) at GP MSW (3/1/2025, 1m turf).
Analysis: Rising star with two wins in last five, her figures (110 peak) scream potential. Cox preps sharply; Alvarado stalks well. Lightly raced; firm turf ideal. Major player if class rise doesn’t faze her.
PP 4: Breath Away (GB) (6yo mare, by Bated Breath (GB) – Darling Grace (GB))
Jockey: Oisin Murphy (international ace, 20% win rate in U.S.). Trainer: Miguel Clement (emerging, 18% win rate locally). Weight: 120 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 1st (106) at GP Allow (12/13/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 3rd (103) at BEL Alwoc (10/10/2025, 1m turf); 2nd (104) at SAR Allow (8/25/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 4th (100) at GP Stakes (3/15/2025, 1m turf); 1st (105) at TAM Allow (11/5/2024, 1 1/16m turf).
Analysis: Home-track lover with recent Gulfstream win, she’s consistent. Clement targets this; Murphy’s finesse fits closer. Good figures; yielding okay. Upset chance with clean trip.
PP 5: Classic Q (4yo filly, by Classic Empire – Lovely Em)
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz (top rider, 20% win rate). Trainer: Mark E. Casse (multiple graded winner, 22% win rate). Weight: 118 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 2nd (104) at WO LS (12/10/2025, 1m turf); 1st (107) at BEL Allow (10/25/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 3rd (102) at SAR G3 (8/10/2025, 1m turf); 1st (105) at GP MSW (3/20/2025, 1m turf); 4th (99) at WO MSW (11/15/2024, 7f turf).
Analysis: Speedy front-runner who will set pace; Casse’s first of three. Ortiz presses; light weight helps. Figures competitive; firm suits. Favorite if she wires.
PP 6: Caitlinhergrtness (5yo mare, by Omaha Beach – Belatrix)
Jockey: John R. Velazquez (Hall of Famer, 25% win rate). Trainer: Kevin Attard (Canadian specialist, 19% win rate). Weight: 120 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 1st (109) at GP My Charmer LS (12/15/2025, 1m turf); 1st (112) at WO King’s Plate (8/20/2025, 1 1/4m synth); 2nd (107) at BEL G3 (10/5/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 3rd (105) at SAR LS (7/15/2025, 1m turf); 1st (108) at WO Allow (6/10/2025, 7f turf).
Analysis: Stakes winner with King’s Plate victory, her My Charmer win was sharp. Attard ships confidently; Velazquez’s experience fits. High figures; versatile surface. Contender for repeat stakes success.
PP 7: Whiskey Decision (5yo mare, by Into Mischief – Funny Song)
Jockey: Flavien Prat (elite, 23% win rate). Trainer: Chad C. Brown (turf master, 24% win rate in stakes). Weight: 120 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 1st (111) at AQU Long Island G3 (11/28/2025, 1 3/8m turf); 2nd (108) at BEL Flower Bowl G2 (9/5/2025, 1 3/8m turf); 1st (110) at SAR Allow (8/15/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 3rd (106) at GP Orchid G3 (3/1/2025, 1 3/8m turf); 1st (109) at KEE Allow (10/10/2024, 1m turf).
Analysis: Graded star with recent G3 win, her figures (111 peak) top the field. Brown excels here; Prat’s closing style perfect. Firm turf favorite; the one to beat.
PP 8: Proctor Street (5yo mare, by Street Sense – Proctor’s Ledge)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione (local ace, 22% win rate). Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh (consistent, 17% win rate). Weight: 118 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 1st (107) at CD Cardinal LS (11/27/2025, 1 1/8m turf); 2nd (104) at KEE Allow (10/15/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 3rd (102) at SAR Allow (8/20/2025, 1m turf); 4th (99) at CD G3 (5/5/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 1st (105) at GP Allow (3/10/2025, 1m turf).
Analysis: Fresh off Cardinal win, she’s peaking. Walsh’s charge; Gaffalione rallies late. Solid figures; soft turf okay. Value in exotics.
PP 9: Crevalle d’Oro (5yo mare, by Constitution – Sonoma d’Oro)
Jockey: Jorge Ruiz (underrated, 14% win rate). Trainer: Jose Francisco D’Angelo (local, 16% win rate). Weight: 118 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 3rd (101) at GP Allow (12/20/2025, 1m turf); 1st (104) at TAM AOC (11/15/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 2nd (102) at GP LS (10/10/2025, 1m turf); 4th (99) at SAR Allow (8/5/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 1st (103) at GP Allow (3/15/2025, 7f turf).
Analysis: Gulfstream regular with board hits, she’s versatile. D’Angelo targets; Ruiz economical. Modest figures; firm best. Underneath player.
PP 10: And One More Time (4yo filly, by Omaha Beach – Complicated)
Jockey: Javier Castellano (veteran, 21% win rate). Trainer: Mark E. Casse (see above). Weight: 118 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 1st (106) at BEL Allow (12/5/2025, 1m turf); 3rd (103) at SAR G3 (8/25/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 2nd (104) at GP Allow (3/20/2025, 1m turf); 4th (100) at CD Allow (11/10/2024, 1 1/16m turf); 1st (102) at BEL MSW (10/5/2024, 7f turf).
Analysis: Improving with recent win; Casse’s second. Castellano closes; light weight aids. Good figures; upset potential.
PP 11: In Our Time (5yo mare, by Not This Time – Laura’s Pleasure)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. (leading, 28% win rate). Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr. (hot, 21% locally). Weight: 120 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 3rd (104) at GP Pegasus F&M Turf G2 (1/25/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 1st (107) at GP Allow (12/13/2025, 1m turf); 2nd (105) at BEL LS (10/15/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 1st (108) at SAR Allow (8/10/2025, 1m turf); 3rd (103) at GP Stakes (3/1/2025, 1 1/16m turf).
Analysis: 2025 Pegasus placer, she’s sharp locally. Joseph Jr. strong; Ortiz maximizes. High figures; firm suits. Co-favorite.
PP 12: Movin’ On Up (5yo mare, by Accelerate – Stifle Yourself)
Jockey: Edgard J. Zayas (local, 19% win rate). Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr. (see above). Weight: 118 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 2nd (105) at GP Suwannee River LS (12/20/2025, 1m turf); 1st (108) at GP Allow (11/8/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 3rd (103) at TAM AOC (10/5/2025, 1m turf); 4th (100) at GP Stakes (3/15/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 1st (106) at GP Allow (1/25/2025, 1m turf).
Analysis: Gulfstream specialist with recent near-miss; Joseph Jr.’s second. Zayas stalks; light weight. Solid figures; value if pace collapses.
PP 13 (AE): Candy Quest (4yo filly, by Connect – Candy Crush)
Jockey: Javier Castellano (see above). Trainer: Mark E. Casse (see above). Weight: 120 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 5th (98) at GP Allow (12/13/2025, 1m turf); 1st (101) at BEL MSW (10/20/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 3rd (99) at SAR Allow (8/15/2025, 1m turf); 4th (96) at GP MSW (3/10/2025, 7f turf); 2nd (97) at CD MSW (11/15/2024, 1m turf).
Analysis: Lightly raced improver; Casse’s third. Castellano adds class; enters if scratch. Lower figures; longshot.
PP 14 (AE): Awesome Czech (5yo mare, by Mendelssohn – Marvelous Martina)
Jockey: Ricardo Santana, Jr. (finisher, 17% win rate). Trainer: Horacio De Paz (solid, 15% win rate). Weight: 118 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 4th (99) at AQU Allow (12/5/2025, 1m turf); 2nd (102) at BEL LS (10/10/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 3rd (100) at SAR Allow (8/20/2025, 1m turf); 1st (103) at GP Allow (3/5/2025, 7f turf); 5th (97) at CD Allow (11/10/2024, 1m turf).
Analysis: Consistent placer; De Paz targets. Santana rallies; enters if scratch. Modest figures; exotics if in.
