Gunnevera Back at Gulfstream, Pegasus Next

Gunnevera, who finished in a dead-heat for fifth in the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 4, is safe and sound in his stall at Gulfstream Park West after returning from Southern California Tuesday.

"He's perfect," trainer Antonio Sano said. "100%."

Sano's primary goal for Margoth's multiple graded-stakes winner is the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 27.

According to host Gulfstream Park, The Pegasus World Cup, the richest horse race in the world, is again drawing the attention of the sport's biggest names. Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Gun Runner , runner-up Collected, and third-place finisher West Coast are pointing toward the event as well as Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner Forever Unbridled and possibly Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) runner-up and Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) winner Sharp Azteca.

"We'll give it a try. He was only beaten by six lengths (in the Classic)," said Sano, whose 3-year-old Gunnevera finished in a dead-heat in the Classic with Arrogate , the winner of the inaugural Pegasus World Cup Invitational.

Gunnevera captured the Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) over the Gulfstream track last March.

"He'll walk for a week before he goes back to the track," said Sano, whose plans call for one prep race before the Pegasus World Cup.