Destino d’Oro produced a sweeping late run to claim the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf, delivering a thrilling finish in the Grade 2 feature for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park. Owned by Steve Landers Racing LLC and trained by Brad Cox, the four-year-old filly showed a sharp turn of foot in the closing stages to edge past Crevalle d’Oro at the wire.
Settled toward the rear of the 12-runner field from the outset, Destino d’Oro was still with plenty to do as the race entered the stretch. Junior Alvarado angled her into clear daylight and the response was immediate, the filly lengthening stride with each bound to collar the leaders late and score by half a length. Crevalle d’Oro finished second, with Movin On Up taking third after briefly striking the front inside the final furlong.
Alvarado admitted the task looked daunting turning for home, but confidence grew as soon as his mount found her rhythm. He said the filly felt full of running once she changed leads and began to close, producing a sustained surge that carried her past the field in the final yards.
Destino d’Oro stopped the clock in 1:40.33 for the mile and a sixteenth, sealing the fifth victory of her career from eight starts and lifting her earnings beyond $830,000.
Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf breakthrough for Destino d’Oro
The Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf marked a significant step forward for Destino d’Oro, who had shown promise earlier in her career. As a three-year-old in 2025, she captured the Pucker Up Stakes (G3) at Ellis Park before finding elite company tough in subsequent starts, including an appearance in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland.
A narrow success in the Tropical Park Oaks at Gulfstream in December, however, hinted she was returning to peak form. That performance persuaded Cox to aim high, and the decision was rewarded on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Cox noted that the filly has always been comfortable racing at Gulfstream and benefitted from a strong pace and a well-timed ride. With conditions falling into place, she delivered her best effort to date.
The race formed part of a landmark Pegasus World Cup Day programme, featuring ten stakes races and a series of graded contests that showcased top-class turf and dirt performers. For Destino d’Oro, the victory confirmed her status as a major force among older turf fillies and mares and opened the door to further high-profile assignments later in the season.
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