Newgrange 'Leaning Towards' Pegasus After Jan. 13 Work

Top Santa Anita Park older horses National Treasure  and Newgrange  each worked Jan. 13 toward potential starts in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 27.

National Treasure, the 2023 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner who is slotted to run in the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus for Bob Baffert, worked five furlongs in :59.60. It was the fastest of 55 works at the distance.

National Treasure most recently lost by a nose to Cody's Wish   in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Santa Anita.

Newgrange, winner of the $200,000 San Antonio Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Dec. 26, worked a half-mile in :48 seconds for trainer Phil D'Amato.

Newgrange is possible to run in either the Pegasus or the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes (G2), also at 1 1/8 miles, at Santa Anita on the same day. After the work, D'Amato said the Pegasus is now the more likely spot.

"He went really well," D'Amato said. "We're still kind of weighing our options, but I'd say we're tentatively leaning towards the Pegasus."

Beginning his career in the barn of Bob Baffert, Newgrange won a pair of grade 3 stakes at Santa Anita and Oaklawn Park on the 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) before a disappointing sixth in the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn. Afterwards, he was switched to D'Amato's barn.

For D'Amato, Newgrange has raced eight times with three wins and four thirds. In addition to his last-out victory in the San Antonio, the Violence   5-year-old won the 2023 running of the San Pasqual.