Records tumble and Pegasus Preview storylines

Gulfstream Park Press

From HALLANDALE BEACH, FL, Woodslane Farm’s millionaire homebred gelding Wolfie’s Dynaghost, thriving at seven years old, carved out demanding fractions and then battled through the lane, ultimately fending off a gritty Cugino to secure a record-breaking Fort Lauderdale (G3) worth $200,000 at Gulfstream Park. For context, think of a seasoned pro turning back a late dive at the wire.

Fort Lauderdale’s 69th edition set the tone: nine-furlong turf test for 3-year-olds and up, five-stakes stakes card (two graded) totaling $750,000 in purses on Pegasus Preview Day

Piloted by Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Brian Lynch, Wolfie’s Dynaghost ($3.80) stopped the clock in 1:43.42 on firm turf, slicing the previous course standard of 1:44.45 that Irish-bred mare Warm Heart posted while toting 118 pounds in her $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) victory in 2024. As an illustration, those are blink-and-you-miss-it splits for a thoroughbred going long.

Equibase data also credited the final time as a North American mark at one and one-eighth miles on grass, eclipsing 5-year-old Kostroma’s 1:43.92 from Oct. 20, 1991 at Santa Anita Park. While Kostroma, another Irish-bred, carried 117 pounds, Wolfie’s Dynaghost shared co-highweight status at 126 with Cugino in this Fort Lauderdale. Picture a stopwatch readout where every hundredth counts.

“Irad told me I did the heavy lifting and he was simply the pilot,” Lynch remarked, adding that it’s special watching an older horse bloom and keep improving with racing. As a small example, the barn vibes change when a veteran starts strutting.

The win made three in a row and 14 overall, with 10 stakes tallies and three graded successes from 32 starts, effectively stamping his pass to the Pegasus Turf at one and one-eighth miles on Jan. 24. The bay son of Hall of Famer Ghostzapper has shined on Pegasus Day before, taking back-to-back Carousel Club overnight handicaps on the all‑weather Tapeta in 2022 and 2023 for prior conditioners Tom Albertrani and Jonathan Thomas. Think same weekend, different surface, same grit.

Asked about targeting the Pegasus Turf for 4-year-olds and up, Lynch didn’t hesitate, saying this served as a perfect bridge and that today’s effort earned the shot. For example, connections often map out goals weeks ahead.

With this score, Ortiz added to his single-season money record and became the first jockey to top the $40 million plateau. That kind of milestone illustrates a sustained hot streak.

“It’s been a fantastic year—credit to my agent, Steve Rushing, and everyone backing me,” Ortiz said, noting the work is not finished and the plan is to close the year strongly. As riders often say, momentum matters.

Leaving Post 2 as the 4‑5 choice among eight older runners, Wolfie’s Dynaghost dragged Ortiz to the point, clocking a 22.34 opening quarter and 45.84 half while Quatrocento pressed from the outside flank. Saving ground in third, Cugino tracked inside, and millionaire Chasing the Crown sat a clear fourth. Imagine a pace scenario where the leader keeps his ears up despite pressure.

After six furlongs in 1:09.09, the pack tightened, and when Flavien Prat angled Cugino out for the stretch run, Wolfie’s Dynaghost dug back in, found another gear, and edged away to score by three‑quarters of a length. A small separation proved decisive late.

“He flew out of there on his own; I barely asked,” Ortiz explained, saying Brian wanted the lead if available, so he let the horse settle, breathe, and wait. The gelding traveled the second turn just like he did down the back, and once set down for home, he kicked hard and opened up. Think ‘relax, then unleash’ as a riding plan.

Cugino finished 2 ¼ lengths clear of Beach Gold in third, with the order then reading Divin Propos, Chasing the Crown, Quatrocento, Steal Sunshine, and Siege of Boston. Defending champion Major Dude and Naptown were withdrawn before post time. For clarity, scratches can shift tactics for everyone else.

Wolfie’s Dynaghost pushed his bankroll beyond $1.3 million while notching a second consecutive graded win, following the River City (G3) at one and one‑eighth miles on the Churchill Downs turf Nov. 8, his first start for Lynch. He has now taken four of his last five, including the nine‑furlong Prince George’s County on June 28 at Laurel Park. Consider it a form cycle peaking at the right moment.

“He’s carrying himself with real swagger now,” Lynch said. “When they can post 22‑and‑change early and still prick their ears like a deer down the backside, you know they’re comfortable and feeling great.” He added the group he faced was strong, making the early lick and stout finish even more telling. For example, that combination is rare.

Named for the shoreline city roughly 14 miles north of Gulfstream, the Fort Lauderdale has been a springboard: 2020 winner Largent ran second in the 2021 Pegasus Turf, and 2019 hero Instilled Regard came back third in the 2020 Pegasus Turf. It’s a pattern often seen with prep winners graduating to bigger stages.