Updated Pegasus World Cup Turf Horses
By Margaret Ransom
Next Shares – Photo courtesy of Benoit Photo / dmtc.com
Next Shares, one of the runners who brought co-owner Michael Iavarone back into racing after the demise of IEAH Stables (remember Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown?), has been a bit of a head scratcher.
He seems to be either right there for a win or a large chunk, or well back, like his was to finish seventh in last year’s Pegasus World Cup Turf. He has won four stakes – three graded – since agent David Meah paid $190,000 for him in November of 2017 and his Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) victory at Keeneland in 2018 was spectacular. He’s long on talent — the issue is which Next Shares shows up for the PWC Turf at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25.
“When I saw him I was instantly ‘wowed’ by him, no horse had ever struck me like he did that day at the Keeneland sale,” Meah said. “I couldn’t stop thinking about him and how I could round up the money to buy him. He just screamed out to me ‘Grade 1 winner’ not just horse. So I bought him, I couldn’t go home without him.
“It took me four days to get him sold and those were the longest four days of my life, but hey look at it now! It’s been a hell of a ride and there are plenty more big days ahead, I think. Richie (Baltas) has done a wonderful job and I believe everyone who invested in my belief and the horse himself have been thoroughly rewarded and are happy.”
Next Shares
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Owners: Debby Baltas, Richard Baltas, Christopher T. Dunn, Jules Iavarone, Michael Iavarone, Jerry McClanahan, Ritchie Robershaw and Mark Taylor
Career record: 29-7-4-2
Career earnings: $1,677,771
Pedigree: Archarcharch—Two Dot Slew, by Evansville Slew
Age: 7
Running style: Closer
Handicapping Insights:
“Seventh in this race last year; can’t recommend.’’ – Ed McNamara
“Comes in off G2 turf win at Del Mar, but with exception of a hot streak in second half of 2018 he doesn’t seem up to the task at this level. More of a turf miler typ.’’ – Noel Michaels
Notes: Bred in Kentucky by Buck Pond Farm … won the Old Friends Stakes at Kentucky Downs, guaranteeing himself a retirement spot at Old Friends when his racing days are over … originally an $87,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling in 2014 and sold to Michael Foster, who sent him to trainer William Cowans in Kentucky … has started at 10 tracks from coast to coast since debut in 2015.
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zulu Alpha | Tyler Gaffalione | Michael Maker | 12-1 |
| 2 | Arklow | Luis Saez | Brad Cox | 6-1 |
| 3 | Without Parole | Frankie Dettori | Chad Brown | 4-1 |
| 4 | Sadler’s Joy | Javier Castellano | Tom Albertrani | 8-1 |
| 5 | Channel Cat | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | 10-1 |
| 6 | Instilled Regard | N/A | Chad Brown | 10-1 |
| 7 | Admission Office | Jose L. Ortiz | Brian Lynch | 30-1 |
| 8 | Henley’s Joy | Julien Leparoux | Michael Maker | 30-1 |
| 9 | Next Shares | Jose Valdivia, Jr. | Richard Baltas | 30-1 |
| 10 | Mo Forza | Joel Rosario | Pete Miller | 5-1 |
| 11 | Sacred Life | N/A | Chad Brown | 12-1 |
| 12 | Magic Wand | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien | 7-2 |
