Horse of the Year finalist Maximum Security was one of 17 horses formally invited on Sunday to compete in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational later this month at Gulfstream Park.
Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up and McKinzie also earned an invite, as did Eclipse Award finalist Omaha Beach. Maximum Security is an Eclipse finalist in two categories and was first across the line at last year’s Kentucky Derby before being disqualified for interference.
Past Pegasus runners Seeking The Soul, War Story and True Timber were also invited, as was 2018 Preakness runner-up Bravazo.
The other invitees for the $3 million race on Jan. 25 include Gift Box, Higher Power, Magic Wand, Math Wizard, Mr. Freeze, Roadster, Spun To Run, Tax, Mucho Gusto and Diamond Oops.
The field is expected to be cut to 12 by the end of the week.
Magic Wand is also invited to run in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, also to be held Jan. 25. Eclipse Award finalist Mo Forza is on that list of 17 as well, along with Arklow, Channel Cat, Henley’s Joy, Instilled Regard, Next Shares, Sadler’s Joy, Starship Jubilee, United, Without Parole, Zulu Alpha, Sacred Life, Admission Office, A Thread Of Blue, Mr. Misunderstood and Lucullan.
Magic Wand was second in the Pegasus turf race last year, behind only Bricks and Mortar — the likely Horse of the Year when the Eclipse Awards are announced at Gulfstream on Jan. 23.
The Pegasus World Cup races will require horses to be medication-free on race day for the first time and will have substantially reduced purses from the previous three editions of the event.
The Stronach Group, which operates Gulfstream, announced the significant changes to the purse structure and race rules last month. Entry fees, which had been as much as $1 million for past runnings of the Pegasus, will be waived.
The inaugural Pegasus in 2017 was then the world’s richest race, offering a $12 million purse to owners who put up $1 million for a spot in the field. The purse went to $16 million in 2018. And last year, the turf race was added, so purses went to $9 million for the dirt race and $7 million on the grass.
CHICAGO (AP) — Naz Reid scored a season-high 33 points off the bench, Anthony Edwards added 23, and the Minnesota Timberwolves routed the Bulls 136-101 on Monday night after Chicago lost top scorers Coby White and Josh Giddey to injuries.
Julius Randle had 17 points as Minnesota pulled away in the third quarter in the opener of a four-game trip. Donte DiVincenzo and Bones Hyland scored 12 each as Minnesota shot 53.7% after a cold start.
Nikola Vucevic led Chicago with 23 points, but the depleted Bulls couldn't keep pace and lost a second straight following a five-game winning streak that had lifted them back to .500. Chicago shot just 40.9%, and committed 16 turnovers compared to three by Minnesota.
White, Chicago’s leading scorer, exited with a right calf strain in the first quarter.
Giddey, Chicago’s second-leading scorer, walked off the court gingerly with an apparent left hamstring injury in the first minute of the second half after scoring 11 points.
White, who entered averaging 20.5 points, missed the first 11 games this season with similar calf injury. Giddey entered averaging 19.5 points, 9.2 assists and 9.1 rebounds. He is second in the NBA with seven triple-doubles.
Before the game, Bulls coach Billy Donovan said Zach Collins will probably miss several games with a sprained right big toe.
Minnesota’s Mike Conley played in his 1,200th game.
The Timberwolves took charge in the third quarter after the Bulls tied it at 55 in the opening minute of the period. Minnesota outscored Chicago 40-28 in the frame and took a 95-78 lead into the fourth.
The Timberwolves led 55-50 at the half after trailing by as much as nine midway through the second quarter. Edwards led the comeback, scoring his first 11 points consecutively on three 3’s and a pair of free throws.
Timberwolves: At Atlanta on Wednesday night.
Bulls: Host New Orleans on Wednesday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Chicago Bulls' Nikola Vucevic (9) battles Minnesota Timberwolves' Naz Reid (11) for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Minnesota Timberwolves' Bones Hyland (8) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Chicago Bulls' Josh Giddey (3) goes up to shoot against Minnesota Timberwolves' Jaden McDaniels (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Minnesota Timberwolves' Naz Reid celebrates during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
