Madaket Road Scratched from the Pegasus World Cup

HORSE RACING
January 24, 2026

Madaket Road Pegasus World Cup Scratched

 

Abscess Forces Madaket Road Out of Pegasus World Cup Invitational

 

In a significant blow to the mid-tier betting market, Madaket Road has been officially scratched from today’s Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park. The withdrawal comes just hours before the $3 million centerpiece, removing a horse that many analysts viewed as a dangerous longshot.

The scratch was confirmed early Friday, January 23, by Tom Ryan of SF Racing.

 

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The Reason Behind the Exit

 

The 4-year-old colt, trained by Bob Baffert, was forced to withdraw after developing an abscess. While common in Thoroughbred racing, the timing is particularly devastating given the magnitude of the event. Ryan noted that the colt will return to his home base in California to undergo recovery, ending a campaign that saw him listed at 10-1 on the morning line.

 

Analysis of Form

Madaket Road was coming off a respectable fourth-place effort in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes. Although he missed the board in that outing, the performance validated his ability to compete at the highest level. His absence leaves the race without a versatile pace-setter who possesses significant “upside” in a field that appeared largely wide-open.

 

Field Adjustments: Lightning Tones Draws In

 

With Madaket Road out, Lightning Tones officially moves into the starting gate. This late-stage inclusion provides the newcomer with a career-defining opportunity to compete for the multi-million dollar purse on North America’s biggest stage.

For bettors, the loss of a 10-1 contender necessitates a complete recalculation of exotic bets (Exactas, Trifectas) and pace projections, as the early speed dynamic of the race has now shifted.

 

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Massive Scratch List Impacting Gulfstream Park

The Pegasus World Cup isn’t the only race seeing a thinned-out field. Gulfstream Park has reported a high volume of withdrawals across the entire Saturday card. Despite fair weather and a fast track, several races have lost multiple contenders due to individual stable circumstances.

Key Scratches by Race:

  • Race 1: More Galliday, Maggie Go (ARG), Zo Zucchera, Drum Roll
  • Race 2: Fidela, Tanya’s Momentum, Majestic Lucia, Wado Wave
  • Race 3: Keep It Easy, X Y Prime
  • Race 4: Lady Firefoot, Dancing N Dixie, A Lilac Rolla (IRE)
  • Race 6: Bail Us Out
  • Race 7: Khaadem (IRE), Sosua Summer
  • Race 8: Con Compania (CHI)
  • Race 10: Candy Quest
  • Race 11: Patricia Ann
  • Race 13 (The Pegasus World Cup): Madaket Road

 

Bettors are encouraged to stay tuned to late-breaking changes and track announcements, as the landscape of the South Florida card continues to evolve heading into the late afternoon features.

 

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