By Mike Farrell
Racing fans can feel it in the air. Their favorite sport is rousing from its post-Breeders’ Cup slumber.
The evidence of the awakening came Saturday at Gulfstream Park with the running of the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) and the $1 million PWCI Turf (G1), the first significant events of the new year.
Yes, the 2021 season is now fully underway. The fresh campaign started with a pair of impressive, if predictable, results.
To the surprise of no one, Knicks Go blasted right to lead and never looked back in the World Cup as the 6-5 favorite.
One race earlier, Colonel Liam kicked past stablemate Largent by a neck as the 5-2 choice in the Turf.
It’s very, very early in the season but those wins vaulted both winners to the top positions in the respective — and severely depleted — divisions.
Racing is a sport that constantly renews itself. With many of the heroes from last year retired from the stage, new players step forward to take their place.
It’s a long road to the Breeders’ Cup with many potential pitfalls along the way, but now we have a pair of early-round leaders.
The biggest challenge for Knicks Go will be continuing the torrid form spree that started last year. The latest victory was his fourth straight and a convincing follow-up to his track record performance in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
“He’s one of the top handicap horses in the country right now,” trainer Brad Cox said after the victory.
He won’t get much argument from the contentious racing community.
RELATED: Going, Going, Gone: Knicks Go Rolls To Victory In $3 Million Pegasus World Cup
Knicks Go passed a major test Saturday, proving he could carry his speed for a mile-and-an-eighth. However, the traditional test of a handicap champion is 1 1/4 miles.
Can Knicks Go stretch out an additional furlong? We’ll soon find out.
The other factor he will face is travel fatigue. He has been conservatively handled by Cox since taking over the training last year. Now comes the lure and the temptations of even richer prizes in Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Flying half a world away to compete in the intense desert heat is a tall order for any horse.
While Knicks Go extended his run of brilliant performances, Colonel Liam had his breakthrough moment. And it must have come as a great relief to owners Lawana and Robert Low along with trainer Todd Pletcher.
They had collectively climbed way out on a limb, paying $1.2 million for the gray colt in the spring of 2019. They hadn’t seen much return on that investment until Saturday.
After a pair of mediocre efforts on dirt, Colonel Liam was a transformed horse on grass. The World Cup Turf was the third win in four starts for the 4-year-old who has made only six career starts.
While Knicks Go was already a star, Colonel Liam was the winner Saturday with the biggest upside potential, especially in the weak turf division.
“He’s a little less experienced than some of the other horses, but I think this proves his quality,” Pletcher said.
Like Knicks Go, Colonel Liam will face a host of challenges—and opportunities—in the immediate future.
With the Pegasus World Cup in the books, the stakes tempo quickens. Next Saturday, the 3-year-olds swing into focus as the Triple Crown preps rev up with the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream and the Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita.
Racing’s winter respite is over. And not a minute too soon.
