On the first major Saturday of Gulfstream Park's 2026 winter meet, it was deja vu for Destino d'Oro.

The Hurstland Farm graduate shined on her biggest stage yet with a rousing triumph in the Gr2 $500,000 Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf.

Even on a day when Gulfstream's course appeared to favor front-runners, Junior Alvarado worked out a come-from-behind trip similar to Destino d'Oro's recent Tropical Park Oaks victory. Both races were run over a mile and a sixteenth.

Unhurried along the backstretch, Destino d'Oro sat well off the quick pace set by In Our Time and And One More Time. Moving four-wide on the turn, Destino d'Oro found herself in a familiar spot as she commenced her customary rally.

Under mostly strong hand urging, Destino d'Oro strode to the front upon switching leads and won by 1/2 length from Crevalle d'Oro. Movin' on Up was another 1/2 length back in 3rd.

“She gave me that feeling before the five-eighths pole that she was going to run great, so I was trying to find my way and had to stay outside in the clear and she came with a helluva run at the end,” said Alvarado after his first ride about Destino d'Oro.

The Bolt d’Oro filly out of Heart of Destiny (Lion Heart), bred by Hurstland in partnership with Jamie Greene, has won five of eight starts with earnings over $800,000.

Trainer Brad Cox said he hopes to point Steve Landers Racing-owned 4yo to Keeneland's Gr 1 Jenny Wiley with one additional start before then.

Gulfstream Park photo.