The Amerman Racing homebred opened his 2026 campaign by digging deep in the final furlong to land Saturday’s $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park, holding off a determined late charge from stablemate One Stripe to prevail by a neck in a tightly contested finish.

Trained by Graham Motion and ridden with patience and precision by Manuel Franco, Test Score stopped the clock at 1:47.04 for the 1 1/8 miles over firm turf. The victory capped a memorable afternoon for Motion, who saddled the exacta, and gave both trainer and jockey their first wins in the Pegasus Turf.

The race formed part of a blockbuster Pegasus program that included 10 stakes races—seven of them graded—worth a combined $5.675 million, highlighted by the Pegasus World Cup (G1) on dirt and the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2).

Facing older horses for the first time, Test Score entered the race off a standout 3-year-old season that included Grade 1 success in the Belmont Derby Invitational and more than $1.3 million in earnings. Settled comfortably along the rail in fourth through measured early fractions, he angled out approaching the stretch and wore down pacesetter Cabo Spirit in mid-stretch.

Longshot Almendares briefly threatened on Test Score’s outside, but Franco asked his mount for more inside the final eighth of a mile—and got it. Still, the race was far from over.

One Stripe, the accomplished South African Group 1 winner, unleashed a powerful rally from well off the pace under Gavin Lerena, his regular rider from home. Sweeping widest of all, he closed relentlessly but ran out of ground, finishing a neck shy in second.

“It was the icing on the cake,” Motion said afterward. “I felt good about running these horses, even though the day hadn’t gone our way earlier. To finish one-two like this is very special.”

Cabo Spirit set the tempo from the outset, clicking off an opening quarter in 23.71 seconds and a half in 47.23 while pressed by Major Dude. Test Score tracked the leaders throughout, never losing position, before asserting himself when the real running began.

Franco said positioning was key. He wanted Test Score engaged early without getting caught too far back in a race loaded with speed, and the plan unfolded exactly as hoped.

Behind the top two, One Stripe finished a length clear of Almendares, who edged Astronomer for third. Program Trading, sent off as the 6-5 favorite, settled for fifth.

For Motion, the result offered both immediate reward and promise for the months ahead. Test Score, now a Grade 1 winner at both three and four, will be given time before a spring campaign. One Stripe, meanwhile, continues to hint at a bright North American future after already proving himself at the highest level in South Africa.

Test Score improved his career record to five wins from 11 starts and pushed his earnings past $2 million, rebounding from a narrow defeat in the Hollywood Derby (G1) last fall following a troubled trip.

“It’s a little bittersweet because One Stripe ran so well,” Motion said. “But he’s a serious horse. You’re going to hear a lot more from him this year.”