Tappan Street will return to familiar ground on Saturday when he lines up for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational 2026, carrying with him a résumé that already includes one of last season’s defining moments at Gulfstream Park. The 4-year-old son of Into Mischief, trained by Brad Cox, is set to face 11 rivals in the $3 million Grade 1 feature, the closing act of a high-class 13-race card rich in stakes action.
It was here, in last year’s Curlin Florida Derby, that Tappan Street delivered a performance that reshaped the season’s narrative. On that afternoon, he handed Sovereignty—later to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Travers—his only defeat, asserting himself with authority and precision over a mile and an eighth.
The Florida Derby success came from a blend of preparation and positioning. Breaking cleanly from an outside draw, Tappan Street secured a stalking spot, tracked the pace with composure, and struck decisively turning for home to score by a length and a quarter. Cox recalled that effort as a reflection of how well the colt had trained leading into the race, noting that everything fell into place when it mattered most.
That victory proved to be his final start of the season. A condylar fracture soon after sent Tappan Street to the sidelines, halting his momentum while his beaten rival went on to dominate the American classics. Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup Invitational 2026 therefore marks not just a return to Gulfstream, but a return to the elite stage after months of patient rehabilitation.
Tappan Street resurfaced in December with a one-turn mile victory at Gulfstream, a race that served as both a confidence-builder and a fitness test. Since then, his preparation has intensified, highlighted by a sharp workout at Payson Park Training Center that left his trainer encouraged about what lies ahead. Drawn in Post 7 and partnered once again by Luis Saez, he is expected to take a significant step forward in the Grade 1 spotlight.
Cox will also saddle another runner in the race, adding further intrigue to a contest that brings together established stars and emerging forces from across the older-horse division.
Fionn Brings Class and Character to Christophe Clement Stakes
While attention centres on the main track, the turf program is equally compelling. Fionn, a 4-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy, arrives at Saturday’s Christophe Clement Stakes with a reputation that blends brilliance and individuality. Trained by Cox for George Messina and Michael Lee, she boasts seven wins from 10 starts and a collection of top-level turf victories.
Her achievements include triumphs in the Belmont Oaks Invitational at Saratoga, the Dueling Grounds Oaks at Kentucky Downs, and most recently the Jockey Club Oaks at Aqueduct. Each has underlined her adaptability and determination, qualities that have carried her through varied courses and conditions.
Fionn’s pre-race demeanour has occasionally tested patience, but once the gates open, her focus sharpens. Cox has repeatedly emphasized her ability to deliver when it counts, regardless of the setting. Initially earmarked for a West Coast assignment late last year, travel complications altered plans, opening the door for a South Florida target instead.
She will contest the Christophe Clement over a mile and a half on turf, a test designed to reward stamina and rhythm. With Flavien Prat taking the ride, Fionn enters the race as a proven performer seeking to add another notable chapter to her growing record.
Beach Gold Eyes Pegasus World Cup Turf Challenge
The Pegasus program also offers a platform for long-term ambition, exemplified by Beach Gold’s journey to the Pegasus World Cup Turf. Twelve months after a modest fourth-place finish in a Tapeta maiden at Gulfstream, the 5-year-old by Omaha Beach now steps into Grade 1 company for trainer Patrick Biancone and owner Joseph Minor’s JSM Equine.
Beach Gold’s career has been shaped by patience. Unraced at two and lightly campaigned at three, he gradually found his stride, earning his first victory last spring and building a consistent record on grass. That persistence has paid dividends, with strong efforts in stakes company and a reputation for reliability at Gulfstream, where he has repeatedly finished in the leading group.
A recent third-place finish in the Fort Lauderdale Stakes confirmed his affinity for the local turf, and his draw toward the inside adds another positive note ahead of Saturday’s test. Biancone describes him as a fresh horse still coming into his own, a sentiment that resonates as Beach Gold prepares for the most demanding assignment of his career.
As the curtain falls on the day, the Pegasus World Cup Invitational 2026 and its supporting cast promise a blend of returning heroes, seasoned campaigners, and stories shaped by time, resilience, and ambition—hallmarks of a meeting designed to showcase the sport at its highest level.
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