Madaket Road will make his 4-year-old debut in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, stepping in after Goal Oriented's sudden retirement. Trainer Bob Baffert believes the colt's front-running style suits the race despite long odds. The event headlines a $4.5 million series broadcast live on NBC and Peacock.
The 10th running of the Pegasus World Cup Series kicks off the 2026 horse racing season with a total purse of $4.5 million, featuring the flagship $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) over 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Scheduled for Saturday, January 24, at 4:30 p.m. ET, the race draws unbeaten favorite Disco Time at 8-5 morning-line odds and defending champion White Abarrio at 4-1. Other contenders include Tappan Street, who upset likely Horse of the Year Sovereignty in the 2025 Florida Derby; 2024 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Full Serrano; Cigar Mile runner-up Mika; and $3.7 million earner Skippylongstocking in a 12-horse field.
For Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, the spotlight falls on Madaket Road, a $650,000 Quality Road colt entering at 10-1 from post 6 with jockey Mike Smith. The 4-year-old has competed in eight graded stakes over the past year, earning $580,000 but securing only a maiden win outside those. He faded to fourth in the December 26 Malibu (G1) at seven furlongs, posting a career-best 98 Beyer Speed Figure. Baffert, who has won the Pegasus three times—with Arrogate in 2017, Mucho Gusto in 2020, and National Treasure in 2024—praises the horse's consistency. "He shows up," Baffert said. "He’ll run. I wouldn’t send him there unless he was training really well."
Madaket Road replaces Goal Oriented, the original Baffert-SF Racing entry, who won the Malibu before Spendthrift Farm purchased and retired him to stud just 15 days later. "Goal Oriented was supposed to go," Baffert noted. "That was his spot, but that sale came up so quickly." Baffert plans a front-running tactic: "We’re definitely going to be on the lead. He’s the fastest in there." He views the Pegasus as vital for the domestic calendar, despite competition from the $20 million Saudi Cup and $12 million Dubai World Cup. The series also includes the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), headlined by three-time Grade 1 winner Program Trading, and the $500,000 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2). Coverage features host Ahmed Fareed alongside analysts Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss.
