Audible on Track for Pegasus World Cup Start

Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) winner Audible has returned to Todd Pletcher's training base at Palm Beach Downs to continue preparations for a planned start Jan. 26 in the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park. 

The 3-year-old son of Into Mischief  is scheduled to make his next start in the Dec. 15 Harlan's Holiday Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream in preparation for North America's richest race, the feature of the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series program.

Owned by China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, and WinStar Farm, Audible registered a professional, two-length victory in the Nov. 3 Cherokee Run Stakes going seven furlongs at Churchill Downs. It was his first start since a troubled third in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).

"We were thrilled with that performance," Pletcher said. "He hadn't run since the Derby, and we were looking for the right kind of race to bring him back in. We have our goal set for the Pegasus, and we were trying to figure out the best path to get there. We felt like the Cherokee Run was a good starting point, and the spacing from that to the Harlan's Holiday was good. Of course, the spacing between the Harlan's Holiday and the Pegasus is good. It was kind of 'Step 1' of a three-race plan, and the first step went very smoothly.

"I'm proud of his performance, and he came out of it well. He's settled in well here at Palm Beach Downs. We're looking forward to getting him ready for the Harlan's Holiday and, hopefully, the Pegasus from there."

Audible, who is scheduled to have his first breeze at Palm Beach Downs Nov. 24, demonstrated a distinct fondness for the Gulfstream racing surface during the 2017-18 championship meet, winning the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull Stakes (G2) by 5 1/2 lengths and the Florida Derby by three lengths at the Pegasus World Cup distance of 1 1/8 miles.

Bred in New York by Oak Bluff Stables out of the Gilded Time mare Blue Devil Bel, Audible was a $500,000 purchase by WinStar and China Horse Club from Crupi's New Castle Farm's consignment to The Gulfstream Sale at Fasig-Tipton. He finished third in his career debut at Belmont Park before winning back-to-back races at Aqueduct Racetrack to set himself up nicely for his eye-catching performances in the Holy Bull and Florida Derby. 

"He seems versatile. He's run well at Aqueduct; he's run well at Belmont; he's run well at Churchill; and, obviously, he's run two huge races at Gulfstream—and that aspect makes the Pegasus very exciting," Pletcher said. "We're hoping he continues to improve. He's an exciting 4-year-old prospect."

Pletcher, the 15-time defending championship meet titlist, had several opportunities during Breeders' Cup week to revisit Audible's third-place finish behind Justify  in the Kentucky Derby. Although the colt checked in 2 1/2 lengths behind the future Triple Crown winner and a head behind runner-up Good Magic , he bolstered his trainer's confidence with his effort in the Run for the Roses.

"He was closing really strong at the end. Every time I saw the replay of the Derby while I was at Churchill for the Breeders' Cup, I still can't believe he didn't win that photo for second," said Pletcher. "It was a big effort from him, and I think it solidified how strong the efforts he put forth in the Florida Derby and Holy Bull were. We're excited to have him back at full strength and looking forward to his next couple races."