Arklow Confirmed For Pegasus World Cup Turf

Last year's Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1T) winner Arklow is being aimed for this year's $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1T) Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park and the $6 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) March 28 at Meydan, co-owner Donegal Racing announced Jan. 8.

A winner of six races and more than $1.8 million for owners Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger, and Peter Coneway, Arklow last out finished a wide eighth in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 2. He resumed breezing in December, working once at Churchill Downs and twice at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, where he recorded a half-mile workout in :48 4/5 Jan. 4.

Luis Saez will ride Arklow in the Pegasus Turf, according to Jerry Crawford, president and founder of Donegal Racing.

The Brad Cox trainee, a 6-year-old son of Arch, previously had been under consideration for other races, including the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Stakes (G3T) at Sam Houston Race Park Jan. 26, before his connections settled on the Pegasus Turf and Dubai Sheema Classic.

At 1 3/16 miles, the Pegasus Turf is shorter than Arklow's optimal trip of 1 1/2 miles. Though he won the American Turf Stakes Presented by Ram Trucks (G2T) at 1 1/16 miles on grass as a 3-year-old in 2017, Arklow has been most effective in marathon races as an older horse. Besides winning the Joe Hirsch at 1 1/2 miles, he won the Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes (G3T) at that distance in September 2018.

Video: Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. (G1T)

The Dubai Sheema Classic, at 2,410 meters, is approximately 1 1/2 miles.

"We're excited about the opportunity to run in the Pegasus Turf," Cox said in a release. "When Arklow is doing well, he'll let you know. And right now he is doing really well. He's always been a horse that we thought would get better with age. I do think he's set up for a big year."

Bred in Kentucky by John and Frank Penn, Arklow is out of the Empire Maker  mare Unbridled Empire, who also produced grade 2 winner Maraud. Donegal bought Arklow for $160,000 from Penn Sales' consignment to the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

He was one of 12 invitees, plus five reserve invitees, to the Pegasus Turf announced by Gulfstream Jan. 5. The race is expected to be headed by globetrotting Magic Wand and Without Parole, a group 1 winner in Europe who ran third in the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) in his first start in the U.S.

2020 marks the second running of the Pegasus Turf, which was won in its inaugural year by likely 2019 Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar.