$3 million Pegasus World Cup (Saturday)

The 2024 horse-racing season has its first marque event, Gulfstream Park hosting the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Saturday afternoon. The eighth edition of the race attracted a field of 12 to go a mile-and-an-eighth.

The now-4-year-old National Treasure, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Flavien Prat, won the Preakness last season. Winner of $1.6 million, the 9-5 (+180) early choice drew post No. 7.

The last of 13 races (seven stakes) on the card at Hallandale Beach, post time at 5:40 PM ET. 

First post is 11 AM ET. Note the program also includes the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (12th race) and $500,000 Pegasus Filly and Mare World Cup Turf (10th race).

“Treasuring” the Chance

Favorites have fared very well in the Pegasus World Cup, and the connections of National Treasure are hoping history is repetitive. 

National Treasure was last seen in a prolonged stretch duel against 2023’s presumptive Horse of the Year, Cody’s Wish. The pair bumped and battled in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita, with “Cody” prevailing by a desperate nose.

There’s no mystery to the preferred style of National Treasure, as he’d prefer to be the speed.  

Trainer Bob Baffert won the inaugural Pegasus World Cup with Arrogate (2017), also with Mucho Gusto (2020).  

A “Mission” Statement?

There’s no entrant in this World Cup more intriguing than First Mission (Luis Saez, post No. 8). The 4-year-old son of Street Sense has started just five times, with three wins and a pair of seconds. He was last seen missing by a nose as the favorite in the Clark (Churchill) in late November. Thought to be a 2023 Kentucky Derby contender after his win in Keeneland’s Lexington, he didn’t resurface until mid-October. He’s the 7-2 (+350) early second choice

First Mission is trained by Brad Cox, winner of this race (Knicks Go) in 2021.  

Worthy of Consideration

There are a trio of early 8-1 (+800) propositions in O’Connor (Paco Lopez, post No. 2), Grand Aspen (Jose Ortiz, post No. 9) and Skippy Longstocking (Tyler Gaffalione, post No. 12).

O’Connor was the scourge of Chile who has won American stakes at Gulfstream (Harlan’s Holiday) and Keeneland (Fayette). It’s difficult to knock a commodity who is 12-of-27 lifetime.

Grand Aspen figures to be the “livest” of trainer Todd Pletcher’s three entrants in this race. Proficient on both turf and dirt, he’s hit the board in his last six. Just missing in the aforementioned Harlan’s Holiday, he might benefit if there’s pace to chase.

Skippy Longstocking was third in ‘23’s Breeders’ Cup Mile (Santa Anita). Making a 21st career start (earnings just under $1.6 million), he and O’Connor are both trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. 

Legion of Longshots 

Remainder of the Pegasus field includes…

-Nimitz Class (Edgard Zayas, post No. 1, 20-1 [+2000])

-Dynamic One (Irad Ortiz Jr., post No. 3, 15-1 [+1500])

-Hoist the Gold (John Velazquez, post No. 4, 15-1 [+1500))

-Trademark (Fernando De La Cruz, post No. 5, 15-1 [+1500])

-Senor Buscador (Junior Alvarado, post No. 6, 20-1 [+2000])

-Il Miraculo (Javier Castellano, post No. 10, 20-1 [+2000])

-Crupi (Frankie Dettori, post No. 11, 20-1 [+2000])

“Grand” Conclusion Awaits 

Figuring that a $3 million purse ensures some quick fractions in the race, we are trying to find a closer to close the sale. 

Grand Aspen seems to be a different horse with trainer Todd Pletcher, and few if any jockeys are better when the money’s down than Jose Ortiz.

Thus, we’re taking a shot with Grand Aspen at a price in the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream. Go underneath with the usual suspects (National Treasure, First Mission and perhaps Trademark) in the exotics.

The latest wagering is available at Pegasus World Cup odds.

Daily simulcasting, featuring the premier tracks, can be found at horse racing odds.