Tutta La Vita at Resolute Farm in July. (Photo courtesy of Resolute Racing)
Second Chance for First U.S. Start Saturday on Pegasus Day
• $3 Million Pegasus World Cup by The Numbers • Saturday’s Pick 4, Pick 5 Pools Estimated in Millions
Pegasus News & Notes
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Resolute Racing’s Australian-bred filly Tutta La Vita will try again for her first U.S. start Saturday in the $100,000 South Beach Handicap, the fourth race on the Pegasus World Cup program at Gulfstream Park.
Resolute’s owner John Stewart bought the daughter of The Autumn Sun for approximately $2 million (U.S.) in May 2024 at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale. Though she has just a maiden victory in 12 career starts, she hit the board in three Group 1 races in Australia.
Stewart left her in Australia with trainer Chris Waller following the sale. After one appearance for Resolute, Stewart changed his plan, imported Tutta La Vita and put her in the care of trainer Ignacio Correas IV.
“I expect really big things out of her,” Stewart said. “Fantastic horse.”
Tutta La Vita did participate in a race at Gulfstream Dec. 28 and reached the wire second, but the race was declared a no contest because jockey Jorge Ruiz came off his mount shortly after the break.
When she does compete, Tutta La Vita will join a small group of Australia-breds to have run in North America in recent years. According to Equibase, 19 horses bred in Australia ran in races between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024.
Resolute is entering its second full year of competition and Stewart’s growing racing business has runners in Europe, North America and Australia. He is enthusiastic about participating in international races and his stable is focused on turf racing.
Last year, Stewart purchased an interest in Goliath, following his victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1). The gelding later won the Prix du Conseil de Paris (G2) at Longchamp and was sixth in the Japan Cup (G1). Stewart said he would like to run Goliath in Australia.
Tutta La Vita at the beach after she raced in May in Australia. This is part of their post race recovery. (Photo courtesy of Resolute Racing/X)
“I want to take the good horses, and I want to go test them in these different areas, like bringing Tutta La Vita up here,” he said. “If she does well, it’s a good barometer for Australian racing on how they compare.”
Horses schooling for Pegasus races Friday included Grade 1 winners Saudi Crown and Stronghold for the Pegasus World Cup and Dinner Party (G3) winner Balnikhov for the Pegasus World Cup Turf.
$3 Million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) by The Numbers
The first eight editions of the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) have delivered some captivating and popular performances but, with one exception, the 1 1/8-mile event has been very kind to favorites.
Seven of the first eight runnings have been won by the first or second betting choice at post time, with five favorites winning.
Arrogate ($3.80), Gun Runner ($4.20), Knicks Go ($4.60), Life Is Good ($3.60) and National Treasure ($7.20) were all post time favorites while City of Light ($5.80) and Mucho Gusto ($8.80) were second choices when the betting windows closed.
The only exception – Art Collector. The Bill Mott-trained 5-year-old returned $33.
It’s also worth noting that only one horse was worse than third at the half-mile pole, and that was Mucho Gusto, who was fourth.
Ron Nicoletti and Brian Nadeau on Pegasus:
Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1)
Shortest Price Winner: Life Is Good (2022) $3.60
Largest Price Winner: Art Collector (2023) $33
Largest Winning Margin: City of Light (2019) 5 ¾ lengths
Shortest Winning Margin: National Treasure (2024) neck
Saturday’s Pick 4, Pick 5 Pools Estimated in Millions
First race post for Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup Day is 11 a.m. and that will be the start of the Early Pick 5 with an estimated pool of $1.25 million. The Early Pick 5 begins with a mile maiden special weight event on the turf for 3-year-olds.
The Late Pick 5 with an estimated pool of $2.5 million kicks off with Race 9 (3:13 ET), the $215,000 W.L. McKnight for older horses at 1 ½ miles on the turf. This will also be the start of the Tropical Turf Pick 3, with an estimated pool of $250,000.
The Late Pick 4, with an estimated pool of $1.5 million, begins with Race 10 (3:45 ET), the $500,000 TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational presented by SirDavis American Whiskey.
