Japanese Filly Aerolithe to Pegasus World Cup Turf
Image:
Description:
Photo: Masakazu Takahashi
Aerolithe is led to the winner's circle following her win in the 2017 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo Racecourse
The connections of Aerolithe, a grade 1-winning filly in Japan, have made travel arrangements to Gulfstream Park to run in the inaugural $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1T) Jan. 26, the richest turf race in North America.
The winner of the 2017 NHK Mile Cup (G1) as a 3-year-old, Aerolithe has placed first or second nine times in 13 starts and amassed more than $3 million in earnings for her owner, Sunday Racing. Her most recent victory came Oct. 7 in the Mainichi Okan (G2) at Tokyo Racecourse. Prior to that start, she placed second June 3 in the Yasuda Kinen (G1) at Tokyo behind Mozu Ascot. She also finished second in the Feb. 25 Nakayama Kinen (G2) at Nakayama Racecourse.
Bred in Japan by Northern Racing out of the Neo Universe mare Asterix, Aerolithe is a 4-year-old daughter of Kurofune, a multiple grade 1 winner and son of French Deputy. The filly's connections have announced plans for Aerolithe to arrive at Gulfstream Wednesday, Jan. 16, with her trainer, Takanori Kikuzawa, following three days later.
The Pegasus World Cup Turf is part of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, which also includes the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), the richest dirt race in North America.