‘Yippy Skippy’! Veteran Skippylongstocking Upsets the Pegasus

[Wandering Eyes]

Entering Saturday's $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, the 7-year-old SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING (h, Exaggerator–Twinkling, by War Chant) and his year-younger stable companion White Abarrio (Race Day)–the 2025 Pegasus hero–had made a combined 59 trips to the races, good for 22 visits to winner's circles from coast-to-coast and earnings touching $11 million. The now-white White Abarrio was the pick of the two as the 7-2 Pegasus third choice behind 3-2 Disco Time (Not This Time) and last year's GI Curlin Florida Derby hero Tappan Street (Into Mischief) at 3-1, but when the dust had settled and in a race that fell apart after sizzling early fractions, Skippylongstocking ruled the day, causing a 21-1 surprise.

Disco Time, undefeated in five starts heretofore and last seen winning the Dwyer Stakes by nearly 10 lengths last November, was kicked straight into the lead by Flavien Prat and went hard on the engine through fractions of :22.25 for the opening quarter. For their parts, White Abarrio and Skippylongstocking were sixth and eighth, respectively, with Tappan Street in the middle, niggled along almost throughout.

Disco Time led past a half-mile in a demanding :46.08 with Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast) pouring in the pressure and White Abarrio made steady progress to make it a line of four into the far turn. Announcer Pete Aiello called Skippylongstocking's name as he raced past Tappan Street who was 'going to have to do much better to be a factor' but he'd run his race three furlongs out. In the meantime, White Abarrio hit the lead under a hold at the head of the lane and looked all over a winner, but Tyler Gaffalione had Skippylongstocking in full flight, went to his stablemate inside the furlong and scooted clear to take become arguably the quietest $5-million winner in recent memory.

Sales history: $15,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $37,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 36-13-3-7. O-Daniel Alonso; B-Brushy Hill LLC (KY); T-Saffie Joseph Jr.

 

WOW! SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING ($45.20) wins the $3M Pegasus World Cup (G1) under @Tyler_Gaff after overtaking stablemate WHITE ABARRIO for a @SaffieJosephJr exacta in the @BreedersCup #WAYI at @GulfstreamPark. Congratulations to owner Daniel Alonso and all the connections. pic.twitter.com/FotFSb4WI0

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 24, 2026

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