The Pegasus World Cup Turf is a prestigious horse race, but this year, one of the expected competitors, Siege of Boston, will not be participating. Trainer Jimmy Toner has decided to scratch Siege of Boston from the race due to concerns about the condition of the track. The 6-year-old horse has struggled with soft ground and is not ready to compete at his best under those conditions.
Why Siege of Boston Will Not Race
Siege of Boston, a 6-year-old gelding, has had a tough year. He hasn’t won a race since June 2023 and most recently finished in fifth place in the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park on December 21, 2024. His trainer, Jimmy Toner, explained that the heavy rain in the area made the track soft, which is not ideal for Siege of Boston. Soft ground can make it harder for certain horses to perform well, and Toner decided that it wasn’t worth pushing the horse to race in less-than-ideal conditions.
Toner told reporters that it was better to skip the Pegasus World Cup Turf and focus on future races where Siege of Boston could perform at his best. He emphasized that the horse needed the right conditions to be competitive, and with the weather not cooperating, racing in the Pegasus would not be a smart decision.
What’s Next for Siege of Boston?
While Siege of Boston won’t compete in the Pegasus World Cup Turf, he will not be out for long. Instead, the horse will now be aimed at the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park on March 1, 2025. This race is slightly longer than the Pegasus and will allow Siege of Boston to test his stamina over 1 3/8 miles. It will also be the longest race of his career so far, which could give him a chance to show what he’s capable of under better conditions.
Trainer Toner had planned to stretch out the horse’s distance eventually, and this might be the perfect opportunity to do so. Despite missing out on the Pegasus World Cup Turf, Toner remains hopeful that Siege of Boston will be ready for the Mac Diarmida and beyond.
Although Siege of Boston will not compete in the Pegasus World Cup Turf this year, his team is focusing on the bigger picture. With a new goal set for the Mac Diarmida Stakes in March, trainer Jimmy Toner is confident that Siege of Boston will have better chances to perform well in a race that suits him more. This change in plans highlights the importance of setting realistic goals for a horse’s well-being and performance, especially in tough weather conditions.
Visit Home