A dozen runners entered for Saturday’s Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup, and another 12 for the Pegasus World Cup Turf, as drawn today at Gulfstream Park. The dual showcases share the marquee on a 13-race card that begins at 11:40AM ET. Be sure to get our full analysis of all the action in Friday’s release of the 1/ST Pegasus World Cup Wager Guide.
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile victor Knicks Go, the 5-2 morning line favorite, begins from post 4 in the 1-1/8 miles Pegasus World Cup. He’s got one way to go: to the front. With Sleepy Eyes Todd to his inside, that rival could be sent along into the pace. Mr Freeze is the race’s other potential early pace player, and from post 11, would have to be sent hard to make the front. He’s more likely now to try and settle just off Knicks Go and Sleepy Eyes Todd. Late-running Code of Honor, second choice in the morning line at 9-2, should not be impacted greatly by a wide draw in post 10, given his take back and rally style.
As for the Pegasus World Cup Turf, stablemates and race favorites Colonel Liam (7-2) and Largent (9-2) start next door to one another in posts 5 and 6. Largent has been pace-versatile and could be part of the early mix, though the speed here likely comes from California invaders Anothertwistafate in post 8 and possibly Storm the Court in post 3. The latter’s inside draw may incentivize him to be hustled along and set the tempo. It’s a very good spot for the 2019 champion 2-year-old.
Be sure to check out XBTV.com for the Pegasus World Cup portal with exclusive workout videos for contenders in both feature races.
Saturday’s card includes $750,000-guaranteed pools in the late pick four and pick five. There’s also a burgeoning Rainbow 6 carryover heading into this week of more than $400,000. If the jackpot bet is not taken down by a single ticket beforehand, Sunday’s card will feature a mandatory payout.
Pegasus World Cup Field
1. Sleepy Eyes Todd (Silva/J. Ortiz) - 8/1
2. Coastal Defense (Romans/Lanerie) - 20/1
3. Independence Hall (McCarthy/Prat) - 20/1
4. Knicks Go (Cox/Rosario) - 5/2
5. Jesus' Team (D'Angelo/Ortiz Jr.) - 8/1
6. Kiss Today Goodbye (Kruljac/Smith) - 10/1
7. Tax (Gargan/Saez) - 5/1
8. Harpers First Ride (Gonzalez/Cruz) - 10/1
9. Last Judgment (Maker/Lopez) - 20/1
10. Code of Honor (McGaughey/Gaffalione) - 9/2
11. Mr Freeze (Romans/Velazquez) - 15/1
12. Math Wizard (Joseph Jr./Zayas) - 20/1
Pegasus World Cup Turf Field
1. Next Shares (Baltas/Van Dyke) - 20/1
2. Breaking the Rules (McGaughey/Velazquez) - 10/1
3. Storm the Court (Eurton/Leparouz) - 12/1
4. North Dakota (McGaughey/J. Ortiz) - 10/1
5. Colonel Liam (Pletcher/Ortiz Jr.) - 7/2
6. Largent (Pletcher/Lopez) - 9/2
7. Aquaphobia (Maker/Bravo) - 20/1
8. Anothertwistafate (Miller/Rosario) - 5/1
9. Cross Border (Maker/Gaffalione) - 15/1
10. Pixelate (Stidham/Zayas) - 15/1
11. Say the Word (D'Amato/Prat) - 6/1
12. Social Paranoia (Pletcher/Saez) - 8/1
.svg){kind=logo}
