Tom's d'Etat Confirmed for Pegasus World Cup

Following some consideration, G M B Racing's Tom's d'Etat has officially been confirmed for the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park, according to trainer Al Stall Jr. and G M B racing manager Greg Bensel. 

On the morning of Jan. 6, the 6-year-old son of Smart Strike began serious preparations for North America's richest race with a half-mile breeze in :49 flat over a fast Fair Grounds main track under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan. It was the horse's first work since his Dec. 22 Tenacious Stakes victory.

"This will be a true test," Bensel said. "We don't know where he fits in the Pegasus, but I do know that he's won six out of his nine career races, so he deserves a chance. He's a horse that can definitely go the distance up against that type of talent. It will be the most talented field there can be."

Lightly raced for a 6-year-old, Tom's d'Etat scored his fourth victory in a row in the Tenacious Stakes, which was also his stakes debut. Ankle issues put him on the sidelines for 16 months following a nine-length allowance win at Saratoga Race Course in July 2017, where he defeated graded stakes winner Far From Over. He was able to return from the hiatus in winning fashion to defeat stakes winners Pioneer Spirit and Guest Suite over a fast main track at Churchill Downs in November in a third-level allowance race. 

"I think he is getting to that point where he seems to be getting better with age," Bensel said. "Our hopes are that he can compete and can shock some people."

Tom's d'Etat is out of the Giant's Causeway broodmare Julia Tuttle, whose dam, Candy Cane, is a full sister to multiple grade/group 1 winner and sire Candy Ride . He was a $330,000 purchase from the 2014 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the Hunter Valley Farm consignment. He was bred in Kentucky by SF Bloodstock. 

Stall said Tom's d'Etat would have two more works before shipping to Gulfstream Park Jan. 22.