There are always winners and losers at the post position draw for races run at 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Gulfstream Park because of the relatively short run to the first turn. And Saturday’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational was no exception.
Only 10 of the 225 horses who have started from posts 9 through 12 have won races carded at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt here over the past 13 years, or just over 4 percent. That statistic will not instill confidence in the connections of Last Judgment, Code of Honor, Mr Freeze, or Math Wizard, who drew posts 9 through 12 for Saturday’s main event.
On the other end of the spectrum is 5-2 morning-line favorite and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Knicks Go. The speedster figures to go postward an even shorter price after having drawn ideally in post 4 for his local debut in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup.
RELATED: Pegasus World Cup Odds: Knicks Go Made Slight 5-2 Favorite In $3 Million Pegasus World Cup
When is the Pegasus World Cup?
The 2021 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series will take place on Saturday, January 23 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. ET.
Where is the Pegasus World Cup?
The Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series is held at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Gulfstream Park is also home to several Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races, including the Florida Derby (G1), the Fountain of Youth (G2) and the Holy Bull (G2).
How can I watch the 2021 Pegasus World Cup?
NBC is home to the 2021 Pegasus World Cup, providing comprehensive race coverage and analysis live on TV, in the NBC Sports app and on NBCSports.com before, during and after the two headlining races.
Who won the Pegasus World Cup last year in 2020?
Last year, Hall of Famer Bob Baffert’s favorite Mucho Gusto won the fourth edition of the Pegasus World Cup with Eclipse Award-winner jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. Mucho Gusto was invited back to the 2021 race but was later retired due to a soft tissue injury.
Mike Maker’s Zulu Alpha, jockeyed by Tyler Gaffalione, overtook Aidan O’Brien’s early favorite Magic Wand (IRE) to win the $1 million turf race. Zulu Alpha is currently out of action due to an ongoing ankle issue.
RELATED: 2021 Pegasus World Cup: Knicks Go
Pegasus World Cup Quick Facts
- The Pegasus World Cup Invitational, first run in January 2017, is the vision of The Stronach Group founder, Frank Stronach.
- The 2019 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Championship Series will offer a $16 million purse split between two Grade 1 stakes races.
- The Pegasus World Cup Invitational is contested at 1 1/8 mile on the dirt and will offer at $9 million purse with $4 million awarded to the winner.
- The Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational is run at 1 3/16 miles on the turf and will offer a $7 million purse with $3 million awarded to the winner.
- The Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational will replace the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap.
- The cost to secure an entry spot for both the Pegasus World Cup and the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational are $500,000 per race.
- A $1 million bonus will be awarded to any horse owner who takes first place in both the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational.
- Past winners include Arrogate, the 2016 Eclipse Award Winning Champion Three Year Old Male and the top earning Thoroughbred of all time, and 2017 Horse of the Year, Gun Runner.
- The Pegasus World Cup Championship Rings, are awarded to the winning owner, trainer and jockey for both the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational and are valued at over $50,000 a piece!
RELATED: Pegasus World Cup Past Performances
Pegasus World Cup Contenders
