2021 Pegasus World Cup: True Timber

In the days leading up to the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, usracing.com will profile the horses in the race set for Jan. 23. The profiles will be updated on Jan. 20 with morning-line odds, post positions and jockeys.

By Ed McNamara

Remarkably, a 7-year-old who’s lost 13 of his last 14 starts received a third consecutive invitation to the $3 million Pegasus. He was seventh in 2019, eighth last year, and 0-for-6 in 2020 before finally earning a Grade 1 win on a sloppy track in a weak Cigar Mile. It was his first victory since September 2018.

In his defense, he’s hit the board 10 times while going 1-for-19 in graded stakes. So until the Cigar, he was often close, but no cigar. He’s also been a good investment for show bettors, with 19 in-the-money finishes in 29 starts.

The problem with the Pegasus: True Timber is a closing sprinter/miler who’s 0-for-4 at 1 1/8 miles. Going that far on a track where he’s 0-for-3, never better than fourth, I give him no chance to win. Trifecta or superfecta? Not out of the question.

He was ridden by Kendrick Carmouche in the Cigar Mile.

Pegasus World Cup Profile: True Timber

Post position: TBD

Odds: TBD

Trainer: Jack Sisterson

Jockey: TBD

Owner: Calumet Farm

Age: 7

Career record: 29-5-5-9

Career earnings: $1,215,150

Top Equibase speed figure: 113

Pedigree: Mineshaft-Queen’s Wood, by Tiznow

Color: Bay

Running style: Mid-pack rallier

Notes: Sisterson, a 35-year-old transplanted Englishman, is a rising star who was a hot walker for Todd Pletcher and an assistant to Doug O’Neill. He’s been training for Calumet since June 2018 … True Timber was turned over to Sisterson last spring after Kiaran McLaughlin ended a long, distinguished training career to become Luis Saez’s agent … True Timber “surprised” Sisterson with a very quick workout Jan. 9 at Palm Meadows, going 5 furlongs in 1.00.20, with a final furlong in a zippy 11 seconds. “Usually, he’s rather workmanlike and slow, but he was extremely fast this morning,” Sisterson said. “He seems to be turning the corner for us.”

Pegasus World Cup Contenders

Horse
Trainer
Owner
Code of Honor
Shug McGaughey
W.S. Farish
Harpers First Ride
Claudio A. Gonzalez
MCA Racing Stable LLc
Jesus’ Team
Jose D’Angelo
Grupo 7C Racing Stable
Kiss Today Goodbye
J. Eric Kruljac
John Sondereker
Knicks Go
Brad Cox
Korea Racing Authority
Mr Freeze
Dale Romans
Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister
Sleepy Eyes Todd
Miguel Angel Silva
Thumbs Up Racing, LLC
Tax
Danny Gargan
R.A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch
True Timber
Jack Sisterson
Calumet Farm
Math Wizard
Saffie Joseph Jr.
John Fanelli, Khalid Mishref, Cash is King LLC, LC Racing LLC, Collarmele Vitelli Stables LLC, Ioannis, Zouas, Bassett Stables
King Guillermo
Juan Carlos Avila
Victoria’s Ranch

Also Eligibles:

Horse
Trainer
Owner
Idol
Richard Baltas
Calvin Nguyen
Independence Hall
Michael W. McCarthy
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC, Verratti, Kathleen and Verratti, Robert N.
Coastal Defense
Dale Romans
Albaugh Family Stables LLC and Helen K. Groves Revocable Trust