Aidan O’Brien’s top filly Warm Heart goes back to the US to take on 11 rivals in this nine-furlong contest for the 1st Grade 1 Bet Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (Sky 9.55).

A narrow loss to Inspiral in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare preceded another fine run in Hong Kong where she finished third over a mile and a half to Junko in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Vase. Her best form is over the mile and a half so the distance here is a bit of a concern. The filly is due to be retired after this race.

“She’s covered a lot of miles,” Chris Armstrong, racing secretary told US media earlier in the week. “She’s a very tough filly. She’s been on the go since early last season, and she’s come through the ranks.

“She obviously had a good run at the Breeders’ Cup and then again in Hong Kong. She’s been training well since, and after Hong Kong, Aidan thought this would be the perfect spot for her.”

Integration ridden by Tyler Gaffalione will go off as the second choice at 3/1.

The lightly raced Integration, trained by Shug McGaughey, has won all three career starts, including graded races at Colonial Downs and Aqueduct.

Atone, a seven-year-old gelding who won the race last year, drew the inside post position with jockey Paco Lopez though he has not won in six races since his Pegasus victory.

World Cup

The Bob Baffert-trained National Treasure heads the 13-runner field for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational.

Last year’s Preakness Stakes winner went down by just a head to Cody’s Wish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile but should find this nine furlongs to his liking.

Brad Cox/Godolphin’s First Mission had his winning run ended, going down by a nose in the Grade 2 Clark Stakes at Churchill in November. Cox won this race in 2021 with Knicks Go. First Mission is 7/2 in the World Cup odds, but he’ll be facing stiffer competition here.

Frankie Dettori rides Crupi for Todd Pletcher; Repole Stable & St Elias Stable’s four-year-old son of Curlin comes off two listed wins in the winter at Aqueduct.

Earlier on the card, Oisin Murphy rides Surprisingly for Todd Pletcher and Repole Stable with Ryan Moore on his stable companion Cairo Consort in the Grade 2 TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (Sky 8.45pm)

Frankie Dettori partners the Richard E Mandella-trained Ruby Nell, winner of a Santa Anita listed race on New Year’s Day.