HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Persistence paid off in unforgettable fashion Saturday at Gulfstream Park, as Daniel Alonso’s Skippylongstocking delivered a long-awaited breakthrough, capturing the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) on his fourth attempt. The durable 7-year-old gelding had knocked on the door in previous editions of the race, and in the 10th running of the Pegasus World Cup, he finally kicked it down.
The Pegasus World Cup Invitational served as the centerpiece of a blockbuster 13-race card featuring 10 stakes races—seven of them graded—and total purses of $5.675 million. The day also included the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) and the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G2), cementing the event’s status as one of the premier race days of the winter season.
Skippylongstocking ($45.20) proved best in the 1 1/8-mile Grade 1 for 4-year-olds and up, surging past defending champion White Abarrio to score by 1 ¾ lengths. The victory came one year after Skippylongstocking finished a distant third behind that same rival, adding extra satisfaction to the triumph.
After prepping with a win in the Dec. 28 Harlan’s Holiday (G3) at Gulfstream Park, Skippylongstocking entered the Pegasus World Cup in peak form. His previous attempts in the race had yielded a seventh-place finish, a non-completion, and last year’s third-place effort.
“It’s amazing. At 7 years old, he was doing better than ever,” Joseph said. “The Harlan’s Holiday was a big race. It was either, he was going to show up, or he was going to be retired. He showed up, but he did better since then.”
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione gave Skippylongstocking a patient, confidence-filled ride, settling him well off a sharp early pace set by Disco Time, the 3-2 favorite, who carved out fractions of 22.25 and 46.09 seconds for the opening half-mile. As Disco Time continued to lead, White Abarrio, Full Serrano, and Captain Cook applied pressure approaching the far turn.
White Abarrio, making his first start since August and returning from a long layoff, launched a sweeping move to take command turning for home. For a moment, it appeared the defending champion might repeat, but Skippylongstocking found another gear, splitting horses and rapidly closing the gap. Although White Abarrio opened a clear lead in mid-stretch, he could not withstand the determined rally of his stablemate.
“Everything really went to plan. Saffie told me just to ride him with a lot of confidence, be patient with him, trust in his ability and he was there for me every step. The race set up the way we needed to,” Gaffalione said. “I was able to find a nice spot inside. He traveled well for me. Coming around the turn, he just kept building. And he just kept responding. When we got into the far turn and I had to split horses, and as soon as I did he took a nice deep breath and started moving forward. I’m so thrilled for the team, and so happy for the horse. He really deserved this Grade 1 win.”
Skippylongstocking stopped the clock in 1:48.49 for 1 1/8 miles, earning his first Grade 1 victory and securing a fees-paid berth in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Oct. 31 at Keeneland as part of the ‘Win and You’re In’ Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. He entered the race with 12 career wins and more than $3.7 million in earnings.
“It just means everything. He’s an amazing horse, and he deserves it,” Alonso said. “Watching the races today we knew it was going to be tough coming from that far back, but he just found another gear today that we hadn’t seen before. To beat a champion like White Abarrio, it’s amazing.”
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. had expressed confidence in Skippylongstocking all week, even while focusing heavily on White Abarrio’s return to top form.
“I had all the confidence in him going into this race, but I was so focused on White Abarrio. I wanted Abarrio to come back and run in this race. I’m so proud of White Abarrio. I can’t believe how he ran for the preparation that he had, to come back the way he just did,” Joseph said. “I’m just proud of both horses and happy for both owners.”
White Abarrio, owned by C2 Racing Stable LLC, Gary Barber, and La Milagrosa Stable LLC, finished second, 5 ½ lengths clear of third-place finisher Full Serrano. The 7-year-old entered the Pegasus World Cup with 10 career victories and more than $7.1 million in purse earnings.
“He ran an amazing race. He ran his race. He has a big heart. I trust him, I trust Saffie. He hadn’t run in a long time, so I think it’s not easy to come back here at a mile and an eighth and run against his horses,” said Ortiz, who guided White Abarrio to victory in last year’s Pegasus World Cup. “To do what he did, it’s amazing. I’m so happy for this horse. He’s a very cool horse. He’s given me a lot through the years. I don’t want to see him get beat. He’s a fighter.”
Captain Cook finished fourth, while Disco Time faded to eighth. Tappan Steet, the 2025 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) winner and 3-1 betting choice, never factored and finished 12th.
