Sharp Azteca Will Run In Paolucci’s Pegasus Spot; War Story In Stronach Spot

Owner Ron Paolucci has finalized a deal to lease the starting spot he purchased in the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup to Ivan Rodriguez and his Cigar Mile winner Sharp Azteca, according to drf.com. Meanwhile, the Paolucci-owned (in partnership) War Story is expected to race in one of three starting slots not purchased; the Stronach Group is leasing those spots.

“It’s a one-shot deal, for this race only,” Paolucci said. “Believe me, I’ll still be rooting for War Story to win the race. But as a racing fan, I feel having Sharp Azteca in the field makes this a better race. I also figured if he didn’t run in my spot, he’d have gotten in with someone else, perhaps in [Stronach’s] last spot, and we’d have had to compete against him anyway with our horse.”

Paolucci is also reportedly seeking a third spot for his Grade 3-placed Game Over.

Javier Castellano is being courted by the connections of both Sharp Azteca and West Coast, whom he rode to a third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Read more at drf.com.

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