Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. shared on Sunday that both Daniel Alonso’s Skippy Longstocking and White Avario, owned by C2 Racing Stables LLC, Gary Barber, and La Milagrosa Stable, came through Saturday’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in good condition. He also took a moment to personally commend the efforts of these two seven-year-old horses.
Skippy Longstocking, an Exjugalator son who placed third behind last year’s winner White Avario in the Pegasus World Cup, reversed the outcome by beating his accomplished stablemate by three-quarters of a length to claim his first-ever G1 victory. Along with the top prize money, Skippy Longstocking also earned a paid entry into the Breeders’ Cup Classic thanks to the event’s “Win and You’re In” challenge.
Despite being a long shot at 21-1 in Saturday’s race, Skippy Longstocking came with an impressive background. He was purchased as a 2-year-old in training for $37,000 at the 2021 OBS Spring Sale and has since won 10 graded stakes races, amassing over $3.7 million in earnings. Yet, in his previous 10 G1 attempts, his best results were third-place finishes in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita, the 2024 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs, and the 2025 Pegasus World Cup.
“Sometimes he ran well enough to win, but never quite did it. People always doubted him, saying he wasn’t Grade 1 quality—but he proved them wrong,” Joseph said. “He delivered in a race that many great horses have claimed.”
On Saturday, under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, Skippy Longstocking set a solid early pace and then surged in the final stretch to overcome White Avario, securing his tenth career victory in the Pegasus World Cup.
White Avario, a four-time Grade 1 winner with one of the strongest resumes in the race, had a disappointing fourth-place finish after coming off a troubled run in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga on August 25. He entered the Pegasus as the 3-1 third favorite but had limited recent racing due to a controversial incident involving a regulatory veterinarian just minutes before the start of the November 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar.
“There was obviously a lot of pressure running an injured Avario in the Breeders’ Cup. I was overthinking everything, and that’s not the right way to train a horse. Confidence is key, and I lacked that due to insufficient preparation,” Joseph explained. “What he showed on Saturday was truly special.”
Regarding future plans for Skippy Longstocking and White Avario, Joseph noted that no decisions have been finalized yet.
“Nothing is signed at this point. We’ve had some quick talks, and one option is the Oaklawn Handicap. There’s also the Dubai World Cup, but nothing is set. I’ll decide after some rest,” he said.
The Oaklawn Handicap (G2) is scheduled for April 18 at Oaklawn Park, while the Dubai World Cup (G1) takes place March 28 at Meydan Racecourse.
This article was initially published by Paulick Report on January 25, 2026, in the News section.
Fan Take: This outcome is thrilling for horse racing enthusiasts because it highlights the persistence and talent behind an underrated competitor like Skippy Longstocking finally capturing a major victory. It also sets up exciting possibilities for upcoming top-tier races, demonstrating the intense competition and strategic planning that keep the sport captivating for fans worldwide.
