Stidham: Proxy ‘has it in him’ to challenge in Pegasus World Cup
At 11h12, on January 28, 2023 • By GULFSTREAM
While keeping a watchful eye on Proxy as the Godolphin homebred schooled in the Gulfstream walking ring Thursday afternoon, trainer Michael Stidham was as confident as ever that the 5-year-old son of Tapit was ready for the challenge of Saturday’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) presented by Baccarat.
Proxy, rated second in the morning line at 9-2, will break from the No. 1 stall in the starting gate for the 1 1/8-mile event for older horses that will headline Saturday’s 13-race program (First-race post set for 10:50 a.m.) that will feature nine-stakes worth $5.4 million, including the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) presented by Qatar Racing and the $500,000 TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational presented by Pepsi.
“As far as the horse, he’s doing fantastic. He’s trained well since the Clark, and he shipped well. Now it’s just a matter of getting a decent trip out of the 1 Hole,” Stidham said. “You always worry about getting banged around there down inside and getting shuffled back. Those are the concerns I have, but as far as the race and him being in it, I think he fits well and has a good shot.”
Although he had been graded stakes-placed five times, Proxy won his first graded stakes, as well as first stakes of his career, in the Clark (G1) at Churchill Downs in his most recent start Nov. 26, perhaps signaling that the best is yet to come.
“Certainly, we’re hoping for that. I think to beat these horses he has to make another step forward, which I think he has it in him to do,” Stidham said. “Now, we’ll see if he can get it done.”
Joel Rosario, who rode Knicks Go to victory in the 2021 Pegasus World Cup, has the return mount aboard Proxy.
