Woodslane Farm’s millionaire homebred gelding Wolfie’s Dynaghost, operating at the peak of his powers at seven, showed tenacity in the closing stages to deny the late thrust of Cugino and register a record-breaking success in Saturday’s Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
The 69th edition of the Fort Lauderdale Stakes, open to runners aged three and older and run over 1 1/8 miles on turf, headlined a Pegasus Preview Day card that comprised five stakes contests, including two graded events, offering combined purses of $750,000.
Partnered by Irad Ortiz Jr. and prepared by Brian Lynch, Wolfie’s Dynaghost stopped the clock at 1:43.42 on a firm turf surface, lowering the existing course mark of 1:44.45 established by the Irish-bred mare Warm Heart during her Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) victory in 2024 while carrying 118 pounds. Wolfie’s Dynaghost shouldered 126 pounds as a joint topweight in the Fort Lauderdale.
Equibase statistics confirmed that the time also represented a new North American record for the distance on grass, bettering the long-held standard of 1:43.92 recorded by Kostroma at Santa Anita Park on October 20, 1991. Kostroma carried 117 pounds, while Wolfie’s Dynaghost shared the top impost with Cugino.
Lynch later reflected on the ride, noting Ortiz’s assessment that the horse had done the bulk of the work himself. The trainer expressed satisfaction at watching an older runner continue to progress and thrive with experience.
The win marked a third consecutive success for Wolfie’s Dynaghost and brought his career tally to 14 victories. It was his 10th stakes score and third at graded level from 32 starts, effectively sealing his place in the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus Turf scheduled for January 24. He has previous Pegasus Day form, having landed consecutive editions of the Carousel Club overnight handicap on the Tapeta surface in 2022 and 2023 for former conditioners Tom Albertrani and Jonathan Thomas.
Lynch confirmed that the Pegasus Turf is firmly on the agenda, describing the Fort Lauderdale Stakes as an ideal preparatory test and praising the manner in which the gelding delivered under pressure.
Ortiz’s success further enhanced a standout season, extending his single-year earnings benchmark and making him the first rider to surpass the $40 million mark. He acknowledged the support of his agent and connections and said the focus remains on maintaining momentum through the remainder of the year.
Starting from post two as the 4-5 favourite in a field of eight, Wolfie’s Dynaghost was quick into stride and assumed control early, carving out fractions of 22.34 for the opening quarter-mile and 45.84 for the half, with Quatrocento keeping him company. Cugino enjoyed a ground-saving trip in third, while Chasing the Crown tracked the leaders in fourth.
With six furlongs covered in 1:09.09, the leading group began to compress, yet Wolfie’s Dynaghost refused to yield. When Cugino shifted off the rail and mounted a challenge under Flavien Prat, the leader responded gamely, drawing clear late to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
Ortiz explained that the gelding broke cleanly and settled naturally, finding his rhythm without being overhandled. He said the horse relaxed beautifully before producing a sharp acceleration when asked for his effort turning for home.
Cugino filled second place, finishing 2 ¼ lengths ahead of Beach Gold in third. They were followed home by Divin Propos, Chasing the Crown, Quatrocento, Steal Sunshine and Siege of Boston. Defending titleholder Major Dude and Naptown were withdrawn before the race.
The victory pushed Wolfie’s Dynaghost’s career earnings beyond $1.3 million and followed his graded success in the River City Stakes (G3) over the same trip at Churchill Downs on November 8, his stable debut for Lynch. It was his fourth win from his last five outings, which also included the Prince George’s County Stakes over nine furlongs at Laurel Park on June 28.
Lynch remarked that the gelding is currently brimming with confidence, pointing to how comfortably he travelled while setting demanding early fractions. He felt the depth of opposition enhanced the merit of the performance, given the balance between early pace and sustained finishing power.
Named after the coastal city situated 14 miles north of Gulfstream Park, the Fort Lauderdale Stakes has a history of producing horses who later performed with distinction in the Pegasus Turf. Previous winners include Largent, runner-up in the 2021 renewal, and Instilled Regard, who finished third in 2020.
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