National Treasure took command turning for home, opened up a lead in the stretch, and outlasted late-running Senor Buscador to the wire to win the eighth running of $3 million Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational presented By Baccarat Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

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National Treasure proved to be a fighter in the final furlong and dug down deep to hold off Senor Buscador by a neck. The 4-year-old son of Quality Road had already showcased his will to win with his gritty score last spring in the Preakness Stakes, as well as his game nose defeat to Horse of the Year Cody's Wish in the 2023 Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Look National Treasure in the eye and be prepared for a fight.

"He's a gutty little horse and that's the way he wants to run," trainer Bob Baffert's longtime assistant Jimmy Barnes said after the race. "We knew it was going to be a hot pace, but he stepped up. He had been running against good horses. We knew how good he was."

A quick pace indeed it was. Out of the gate, National Treasure, as usual, sprinted to the early advantage. He was soon joined by front-running Grade 2 Cigar Mile victor Hoist the Gold, who was stretching beyond a mile for the first time since last February. Jockey Flavien Prat, instead of engaging in a speed duel, sat just back with National Treasure as Hoist the Gold traversed through splits of :23.18, :46.32, and 1:11.21.

National Treasure. (Samuel Dixon/Eclipse Sportswire)

National Treasure joined Hoist the Gold midway through the turn, took over, and never relented. He clocked 1:50.51 for the 1 1/8 miles, earning his second Grade 1 victory and putting his earnings over the $3 million mark.

Baffert won his third career Pegasus World Cup following Arrogate in 2017 and Mucho Gusto in 2020.

"Bob has already said whatever he's done at 2, he'll do more at 3, and there'll be a lot more at 4. We're feeling pretty good right now," said National Treasure's part-owner Tom Ryan of SF Racing.

Senor Buscador, who ran one of his finest career performances in defeat, was second, 4 1/2 lengths ahead of 34-1 shot Crupi in third. Senor Buscador and Crupi raced in eleventh and twelfth positions during the first half of the race. Second-choice on the tote board First Mission raced in mid-pack early but faded to ninth.

Ryan had indicated to BloodHorse earlier in the week that major targets like the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup or March 30 Dubai World Cup could be on the radar for National Treasure. He also appears an ideal candidate for the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap in New York.

Wherever the colt runs next, he figures to be a force in the older male division.

Warm Heart Goes Out a Winner with Course Record in Pegasus Turf

Warm Heart used an impressive stretch move to become the first filly to capture the Grade 1, $1 million 1/ST BET Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational and she set a course record in the process Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

The victory for Warm Heart, a 4-year-old Coolmore homebred, ended the filly's career with a 6-2-1 record in 10 starts. Her trainer, Aidan O'Brien, became the first European-based trainer to capture the race.

"She will be retired, retired at the top of her game," said Charlie O'Connor, a spokesman for Coolmore America, following the race. "Maybe a little date with Justify."

Warm Heart en route to victory. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Reigning Longines World's Best Jockey Ryan Moore delivered a move worthy of that title as he and the daughter of Galileo found room along the inside in the stretch to squeeze through near the eighth pole and seize the lead on her way to victory. O'Brien, who was not at the race, praised jockey Ryan Moore for his winning ride.

"We're absolutely delighted," O'Brien said. "It's incredible. Ryan obviously gave her an incredible ride and everybody has done such an incredible job. We're just so delighted for everyone and for her to go off now to Justify is so exciting. She's absolutely made for him."

Warm Heart finished a half-length ahead of 14-1 shot I'm Very Busy to post a winning time of 1:44.45 on firm turf. Warm Heart broke English Channel's 17-year-old course record for 1 1/8 miles. She paid $6.80 to win.

Catnip, who started at 45-1 from the outside post position, finished another neck behind in third. Atone, who won the race last year, finished fourth. Integration, the 6-5 favorite, finished fifth with a tough trip at the top of the stretch.

Warm Heart closes her career with top level victories in three different countries. Besides Saturday's win, Warm Heart also landed last year's Prix Vermeille at Longchamp in France and Britain's Yorkshire Oaks at York. She was also second in the 2023 Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

"She's shown everything. She's tough, she's durable, she travels, she's sound," O'Brien said of Warm Heart. "I don't think you can ask for anything more from a filly." -- Charlie McCartthy