Pegasus World Cup Next Target for Hardy Bravazo

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas confirmed Dec. 5 that Calumet Farm's homebred graded stakes winner Bravazo is being pointed toward the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan 26 at Gulfstream Park.

"Yes, that's surely where we're headed if everything goes well," Lukas said.

Bravazo, who most recently finished second in the Nov. 23 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (G1), has raced in eight consecutive grade 1 events at six tracks and was the only horse other than Justify  this year to run in all three Triple Crown races.

"We've got a window of about seven weeks, so we'll get him in a work pattern," Lukas said. "We did ship him to Arkansas where he's getting a week to just take it easy. We'll start picking up a work-tab schedule in mid-December. He's really done well. He's fit, his weight is excellent. He's run eight straight grade 1s, and a lot of people would think he would taper off, but he seems to only have gotten better. He's a picture of consistency."

Lukas said his first inclination would be to ship Bravazo to Gulfstream a week before the race. "I don't think we'll come in right on top of it," he said.

Bravazo last visited the winner's circle when he captured the Risen Star Stakes presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) in February. The son of Awesome Again  went on to finish second to Justify in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and also posted on-the-board efforts in the betfair.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1), Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1), and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

"One of the things we've struggled with in Thoroughbred racing is keeping superstars on the track," Lukas said. "I think (the Pegasus) is a step in the right direction. Any time you start the season with a $9 million race … it better be on your radar."