After a successful 2025 that featured his first Group 1 victory and over $1 million in earnings, Ammerman Racing’s homebred Test Score started 2026 on a high note. On Saturday at Gulfstream Park, he narrowly held off longshot Almendares by half a length and edged out stablemate One Stripe (SAF) by a neck to win the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1).
Test Score, carrying odds of $17.20, along with two-time South African Group 1 winner One Stripe, secured the win for trainer Graham Motion, marking the first Pegasus Turf triumph for both Motion and jockey Manuel Franco. The race was completed in 1:47.04 on a firm turf course.
Motion expressed pride in his horses’ performances after a challenging day, saying, “I felt really good running these horses, but I also felt really good running my own horses all day and none of them won. It was a great way to end the day. It was a great day.”
Since February of last year, Test Score has compiled an impressive record as a 3-year-old with three wins, three second-place finishes, three thirds, and more than $1.3 million earned in just eight starts. His victories include the Belmont Derby Invitational (G1), Twilight Derby (G2), and Transylvania Stakes (G3). The Pegasus Turf marked his first competition against older horses.
One Stripe, who boasts four South African group wins, made his fourth North American appearance and second consecutive start at Gulfstream on December 26, winning a one-mile optional claiming race by over five lengths.
Motion revealed plans to give Test Score a rest after a long season, aiming to refresh him for the spring campaign. He remains optimistic about One Stripe’s future, stating, “The distance really helped him today.”
In the race, Cabo Spirit broke quickly from post 8 under Mike Smith, leading the field of 12 for the first 400 meters in 23.71 seconds, closely pursued by millionaire Major Dude and Cousino, while Test Score settled along the rail in fourth. At the half-mile mark, clocked at 47.23 seconds, the top four remained unchanged.
As the field entered the stretch, Cabo Spirit held a short lead before tiring, allowing Test Score to surge ahead. Almendares, sent off at 35-1, challenged strongly, but Test Score held firm. One Stripe, who had stayed off the pace early, made a powerful late run but just missed catching Test Score, finishing a neck behind under South African jockey Gavin Lerena.
Franco shared, “I wanted to get out there running because I knew I had a lot of speed in the race and didn’t want to be too far behind. I held my position until the backstretch, and after that, I was happy with the horse’s movement.” He added that Test Score responded well when challenged in the final furlongs, showing an extra gear to secure the win.
One Stripe edged out Almendares by a length for second place, with Almendares beating longshot Astronomer by a head for third. The rest of the order included favorite Program Trading, followed by Fort Washington, Chasing the Crown, Call Sign Seven, Cabo Spirit, Beech Gold, Cousino, and Major Dude.
Barnikov, the only eligible horse scratched early on race day, had placed third in the $225,000 William L. McKnight (G3).
Test Score encountered trouble in the 1 1/8-mile Hollywood Derby (G1) on Del Mar’s turf on November 29, narrowly finishing half a length behind the favorite. Following a two-day van trip from California to Florida, Test Score’s career record stands at five wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 13 starts, with total earnings surpassing $2 million.
Before his Gulfstream debut, One Stripe earned a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) by winning South Africa’s Lormaline Kings Plate (G1), although he finished 10th in the Breeders’ Cup. Earlier, he made his North American debut in the Woodbine Mile (G1), placing fifth.
Motion reflected on the race, saying, “Test Score had some trouble last time but still ran well. Manny rode him great today. It’s a little bittersweet for One Stripe finishing second because these horses are such good competitors. He traveled all the way from South Africa to challenge this horse. He’s really talented, and you’ll hear a lot from him this year.”
Born in Kentucky, Test Score is out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Joy of Learning.
Fan Take: This thrilling Pegasus Turf Invitational showcased the emergence of Test Score as a formidable contender against older horses, promising an exciting season ahead. For horse racing fans, this win highlights the global nature of the sport, with international rivals like One Stripe pushing the competition to new heights and raising the profile of turf racing in the U.S.
