National Treasure, Master of the Seas among invitees to Pegasus day

HALLANDALE BEACH — Preakness winner National Treasure and Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Master of the Seas were among the top invitees announced Wednesday for this month’s Pegasus World Cup races at Gulfstream Park.

The Pegasus card is Jan. 27, featuring the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf and the $500,000 Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf.

National Treasure narrowly won the Preakness last May and finished 2023 by placing second in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Among the top performers also invited to the $3 million race: Cigar Mile winner Hoist the Gold, Harlan’s Holiday winner O’Connor, Pennsylvania Derby winner and Jim Dandy runner-up Saudi Crown, and Skippy long stock in g—wh of ii shed seventh in last year’s Pegasus.

Master of the Seas has won eight of 16 lifetime starts, with more than $2.2 million in earnings. He rallied from well back in the field to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile on the grass at Santa Anita in November. The top competition in the Pegasus turf figures to be defending race winner Atone, who hasn’t won any of his six starts since.

The full list of invitees: Pegasus World Cup Invitational (1 ⅛ miles, dirt): First Mission, Grand Aspen, Hoist the Gold, Il Miracolo, National Treasure, Newgrange, O’Connor, Saudi Crown, Senor Buscador, Skippy long stocking, Subsanador, Trademark. Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (1 ⅛ miles, grass): Adhamo, Atone, Catnip, Integration, Kingmax, Main Event, Master of the Seas, Master Piece, Shirl’s Speight, Therapist, Warm Heart, Webslinger.

Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf (1 1⁄16 miles, grass): Accomplished Girl, Be Your Best, Closing Remarks, Consumer Spending, Didia, Fluffy Socks, Full Count Felicia, Mission of Joy, Queen Goddess, Ruby Nell, Star Fortress, Surprisingly.