Never Surprised News Today

Stablemates have occupied the top two spots in the $1-million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) for two years running and, if the local prep for one of the richest grass races in North America is any indication, a third year is not out of the question.

Two-time defending champion Colonel Liam and fellow Grade 1 winners Decorated Invader, Ivar, Shirl’s Speight and Speaking Scout are among a dozen horses on the first invitation list for the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Colonel Liam was entered in an optional claiming allowance Dec. 15 at Gulfstream, where he was the first of three also-eligibles in an overflow field of 15. He ultimately was scratched when the race was rained off the grass to the all-weather Tapeta course.

Robert and Lawana Low’s Colonel Liam will target the $200,000 Fort Lauderdale (G2) Dec. 31 at Gulfstream Park as the lone prep for his attempt at a third consecutive victory in the $1-million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1).

Colonel Liam and Never Surprised, respectively 1-2 in this year’s Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1), are entered in a Thursday optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream Park.

Harrell Ventures and Starlight Racing’s Bat Flip brought a newfound turf affinity into his stakes debut and passed the test with flying colors, besting a field of nine juveniles in Saturday’s fifth running of the $120,000 Central Park going one mile over the Aqueduct Racetrack outer turf.

Mira Mission kept his perfect record on the Gulfstream Park grass when outdueling French import Mouillage through the lane for a three-quarter-length victory in his stakes debut Saturday in the $150,000 Canadian Turf Stakes (G3).

Never Surprised returns to a distance where he owns three wins from four tries, including Gulfstream’s Dec. 26 Tropical Park Derby

“We’ve kind of gotten hurt with not as much turf racing as we’re used to,” Maker said of the current Gulfstream Park meet.

J. Keeler Johnson analyzes the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1).