Ortiz to send Doc Sullivan south with G1 Pegasus World Cup looming
At 0h02, on January 13, 2026 • By Gulfstream Park
Trainer John Ortiz updated Sunday morning that he will ship Tristar Farm’s New York-bred Doc Sullivan to Florida in hopes of a possible shot in the Grade 1, $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational on January 24 at Gulfstream Park. Doc Sullivan was listed among the reserve invitees for the race when second invitations went out on Wednesday.
“I think we are going to play it safe, put him on a van tomorrow to Gulfstream and see what happens,” Ortiz said. “There’s a couple options obviously down there. Doc Sullivan has proven he is able to compete in open company. He ran in a Grade 1 at Saratoga and a Grade 3 at Aqueduct. I don’t know why we wouldn’t consider keeping him in open company after two back-to-back wins against state-breds. He is very confident.”
The Pegasus World Cup is contested at nine furlongs and offers a “Win and You’re In” berth for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in October at Keeneland.
Doc Sullivan is 0-for-3 at nine furlongs but is in top form with back-to-back stakes wins versus restricted company. The 5-year-old Solomini dark bay won the seven-furlong NYSSS Thunder Rumble and the one-turn mile state-bred Alex M. Robb, in November and December, at Aqueduct Racetrack.
“I’m not worried about the distance, this is a very versatile horse,” Ortiz said. “He can go anywhere from probably 6 1/2 furlongs to a mile and an eighth against the right company. I think he is in a good set-up for that race [the Pegasus World Cup] after two sprint races, I think he is going to have plenty of energy to be up close and stalk.”
Doc Sullivan, bred by Seamus Coughlan, joined the Ortiz barn in July from the care of trainer Michael Miceli and won the seven-furlong John Morrissey by a head over Grade 1-placed The Wine Steward in July at Saratoga Race Course. He went on to post fourths at that distance in the Grade 1 Forego at the Spa and the Grade 3 Vosburgh presented by Army Mule in September at Belmont at the Big A.
“After his last race, we sent him to the farm for 12 days for a little R and R. He came back a couple days ago, he’s been training really well,” said Ortiz. “He did a two-minute lick this morning and is right on target, we’ll ship down there and see what happens.”
