Colonel Liam Leads Pletcher-Trained Exacta in Pegasus World Cup Turf

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Robert and Lawana Low’s Colonel Liam flew past fellow Todd Pletcher trainee Largent late to win Saturday’s $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

Colonel Liam broke from post 5 under Irad Ortiz Jr. as the 5/2 favorite and settled into a mid-pack stalking position while Storm the Court led Anothertwistafate through opening fractions of :23.59, :48.69, and 1:12.85.

Anothertwistafate ranged up in the far turn and held a slim advantage at the top of the stretch, but Social Paranoia (the third Pletcher entry) kept to his outside and soon stole away command.

Largent skimmed the rail under Paco Lopez and took over halfway home, but the wide-rallying Colonel Liam flew down the center of the track and got up in the shadow of the wire.

Colonel Liam edged his stablemate by a neck while completing the 1 3/16-mile firm turf route in 1:53.09.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the way they all ran,” Pletcher said. “It was a heck of a race between Largent and Colonel Liam at the end. I thought Social Paranoia put in a huge effort from the 12 post. Just really, really happy with all three of them.”

Cross Border‘s late surge prevented Pletcher from hitting the trifecta; Social Paranoia was a 1/2-length back in fourth, which he took in a photo finish by a trio of necks over Pixelate, Next Shares, and Storm the Court.

The rest of the field was similarly bunched up close behind as Aquaphobia, Breaking the Rules, North Dakota, Say the Word, and Anothertwistafate completed the order of finish.

Colonel Liam’s win was his second straight following the local Tropical Park Derby and improved his overall record to 6-4-0-1. The 4-year-old Liam’s Map colt, purchased for $1.2 million as an unraced juvenile, has now earned $690,965.

“This is just unreal,” Robert Low said. “It’s fantastic. We just had a great combination. We had the horse, we had the trainer, we had the rider, and they got it done. We’re just very, very thankful and very grateful. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

Colonel Liam returned $7 to win, $4.20 to place, and $3.20 to show. Largent brought back $5 to place and $3.80 to show, while Cross Border paid $6.40 to show.