The champagne corks will be flying and the grandstand buzzing when Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet opens this Thanksgiving, with trainers, jockeys, and fans preparing for a season that promises both history and spectacle. Few events in American racing stir anticipation quite like Gulfstream’s winter season — and this year’s lineup of 68 stakes races worth $15.2 million will ensure the spotlight shines firmly on Hallandale Beach.
The centerpiece is the 10th anniversary of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), set for January 24, with its $3 million purse once again making it the richest dirt race in the U.S. outside of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Alongside it, the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) and the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2) headline a glittering card of 10 stakes worth $5.55 million in total.
Pegasus World Cup Day Returns in Style
Pegasus World Cup Day has become more than racing — it’s a South Florida cultural moment. With past performances from artists like Calvin Harris and Snoop Dogg, and A-list celebrities filling the paddock lawns, the day blends elite sport with international glamour. On the track, legends such as Arrogate, California Chrome, Gun Runner, Knicks Go, and Bricks and Mortar have graced the Pegasus stage, etching unforgettable chapters into Gulfstream’s racing story.
This year’s card will also feature the W.L. McKnight (G3) and the newly renamed Christophe Clement (G3), honoring the late trainer who made Gulfstream his launching ground.
Florida Derby Milestone
March 28 will mark the 75th running of the Curlin Florida Derby (G1), Gulfstream’s signature Kentucky Derby prep. The numbers alone speak volumes: 46 starters have gone on to claim 62 Triple Crown races, including 26 Kentucky Derbys. Last year’s winner, Tappan Street, proved the form once again by toppling future classic star Sovereignty in a gripping stretch duel.
The undercard will be equally compelling with the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), Orchid (G3), Ghostzapper (G3), and Pan American (G3), rounding out a $2.45 million program.
Road to the Classics
The path to the Florida Derby begins with the Holy Bull (G3) on January 31, followed by the Coolmore Fountain of Youth (G2) on February 28 — a race that has recently produced Sovereignty and 2024 Belmont hero Dornoch. Fountain of Youth Day will carry nine stakes worth $1.8 million, ensuring the nation’s top 3-year-olds arrive in Florida with their sights set on spring glory.
Turf Racing at the Forefront
Gulfstream continues to hold its place as the winter capital of turf racing, with 38 grass stakes scheduled. Pegasus Day alone will showcase five turf contests, while the Fountain of Youth card offers six, including the Mac Diarmida (G2). Key early-season fixtures include the Fort Lauderdale (G3) and Harlan’s Holiday (G3) on December 20, both serving as preps for the Pegasus.
A Season That Defines Champions
From its Thanksgiving Day opener featuring the Florida Sire Stakes finals to its March finale, Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet remains a proving ground where future legends are unveiled. With $15.2 million in stakes and milestones like the Pegasus World Cup’s 10th anniversary and the Florida Derby’s 75th edition, the meet promises to reaffirm its reputation as the crown jewel of American winter racing.
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