A decade ago, South Florida enthusiasts envisioned a grand event for older Thoroughbreds, setting the stage for a multi-million dollar race just before breeding season. Fast forward to January 24, 2026, at Gulfstream Park, where the Pegasus World Cup Invitational will take place. It might lack the glitz of strobe lights and the tunes of the Bee Gees, but it’ll certainly feature some “Disco Time.”
Disco Time, a remarkable four-year-old, enters the tenth Pegasus with an impeccable record, vying for a substantial $3 million prize. Trained by Brad Cox, this offspring of Not This Time and Disco Chick has only graced the track five times but has claimed victory in each outing, proving to be a top performer.
“He’s always displayed exceptional talent,” remarks Brad Cox, who previously clinched the Pegasus in 2021 with Knicks Go. “With his intelligence and speed, there’s much to admire about him.”
In early 2025, Disco Time was on the Kentucky Derby trail. Victories at Churchill Downs as a juvenile and an impressive last-to-first finish in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds in New Orleans had his connections dreaming of the first Saturday in May. However, an injury setback forced this promising colt out of training.
“He faced some hind end issues, and the only remedy was time off,” explains Cox. “He couldn’t train, so we had to be patient and let nature heal him. In this sport, plans often go awry, and adapting is crucial, which was the situation here.”
After a period of rest and recovery, Disco Time dazzled once more on September 19 at Fairmont Park, dominating the St. Louis Derby with a five and a half-length victory. He returned to the track on November 8 at Aqueduct, delivering another stellar performance with a commanding nine and three-quarter length triumph in the Dwyer Stakes, showcasing his prowess over a mile in pace-stalking style.
After a little rest and recuperation, Disco Time tripped the light fantastic again on September 19 at Fairmont Park in the St. Louis Derby. Leading every step of the way, a five and a half length score told everyone he was much the best. Returning to the track on November 8, at Aqueduct, he again cut a rug with a powerful nine and three-quarter length win in the Dwyer Stakes in pace-stalking fashion at a mile distance.
“We really liked him going into the St. Louis Derby because he had been training so well”, says Cox, who has won over 2,500 races. “You are never sure when horses come back off extended layoffs and we don’t run much at Fairmont Park, but it was a good spot based on timing and he broke well and ran strong the entire way. In the Dwyer, we felt as though the one-turn mile would be a great building block for him. His move down the lane where he pulled away from the field was impressive.”
Disco Time has continued his work in South Florida as he prepares for the biggest dance of his career. Continuing to shine on the training track, this Juddmonte Farms owned runner will look to make like John Travolta in his first start in grade 1 company.
“This is a big test for him, but we have always thought he has grade 1 talent”, says Cox. “Yes, he is lightly raced, but he is a horse that has really moved forward and we think the best is yet to come.”
Disco Time will break from post 1 in a field of 12 in the Pegasus. This mile and an eighth race will be carded as the 13th and final race of the program with an expected post time of 5:39 pm eastern. Flavien Prat is slated to ride and Disco time has been installed as the 8 to 5 morning line favorite. His career earnings from his five career wins are at $551,960.
