The Stronach Group announced today that nine of 12 contenders have been confirmed for the second running of the G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational. With a record breaking $16 million purse, the world’s richest Thoroughbred horse race will be contested on Jan. 27, 2018, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
“We are excited to officially announce nine confirmed contenders for the 2018 Pegasus World Cup Invitational,” said Timothy Ritvo, chief operating officer of The Stronach Group & president of Gulfstream Park. “With just over a month until race day, we are in vigorous discussions and negotiations for the final three coveted starting spots in what is shaping up to be an incredible 12-horse field. Once again, Pegasus will play host to many of the top horses, jockeys and horsemen in the world.”
Tickets, which range from $75 to $1,000+ per person, are moving fast and can be purchased at www.PegasusWorldCup.com. From exciting views of the finish from the grandstand, luxurious suites and VIP experiences in Ten Palms restaurant or superb race views from the apron, the venues at Gulfstream Park offer the best for the ultimate day at the races.
“The inaugural Pegasus World Cup Invitational surpassed our expectations and we believe brought a new level of excitement to Thoroughbred horse racing”, said Belinda Stronach, chairman & president, The Stronach Group. “We see Pegasus as an entertainment event that will appeal to fans, seasoned and new, where music, fashion, celebrity, and world-class racing combine to create an experience unlike any other.”
For the 2018 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, The Stronach Group has partnered with the team behind nightclub/restaurants LIV, Story, & Komodo to form a unique themed entertainment experience that will recreate their world-renowned high energy experiences onsite at Gulfstream Park. More information along with program details will be released within an official announcement to be made in early January 2018.
The nine confirmed starters for the 2018 Pegasus World Cup Invitational as of Dec. 15, 2017, are as follows (listed alphabetically):
Collected
Owner: Speedway Stable LLC. | Trainer: Bob Baffert
Hall of Fame trainer Baffert, who saddled Arrogate to victory last year, returns with two starters including Collected, a multiple-graded stakes winner who finished second Nov. 4 at Del Mar in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The son of City Zip has won eight of 12 starts and is currently training at Santa Anita.
Gunnevera
Owner: William C. Gallo, et al. | Trainer: Antonio Sano
The popular colt won the Fountain of Youth (G2) and was second in the Travers (G1) at Saratoga this summer and finished in a dead-head for fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He has three victories over Gulfstream Park and is training at Gulfstream Park West.
Gun Runner
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC/Three Chimneys Farm.| Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Just two days before the running of Pegasus, Gun Runner is favored to be crowned 2017 Horse of the Year at the 47th Eclipse Awards at Gulfstream. Under the care of Hall of Fame horseman Asmussen, Gun Runner won five of six races in 2017, including four consecutive Grade 1 events. He capped off his season with a gate-to-wire victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The son of Candy Ride is training in New Orleans.
Seeking the Soul
Owner: Charles E. Fipke. | Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Bred by Fipke, Seeking the Soul will enter the Pegasus off his biggest win, a half-length victory in the Clark Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs November 24. The son of Perfect Soul is currently training in New Orleans.
Stellar Wind
Owner: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith (Coolmore). | Trainer: Chad Brown
The lone filly or mare in the Pegasus as of now, Stellar Wind earned an Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old filly in 2015. She reeled off three consecutive Grade 1 victories earlier this year and is the daughter of two-time Horse of the Year, Curlin. The mare is currently in training at Palm Meadows Training Center in Palm Beach.
Toast of New York
Owner: Al Shaqab, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, R.A. Hill, Eric Young. | Trainer: James Osborne
Toast of New York returned from a three-year layoff earlier this month to win at Lingfield Park in Surrey, United Kingdom. After finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2014, the 6-year-old was retired for stallion duties in Dubai but was returned to training in April. He has finished first or second in seven of his nine career starts. He remains in the U.K.
To Be Announced
Owner: Adena Springs. | Trainer: TBA
Adena Springs is owned by the Stronach Family, the innovators behind the Pegasus World Cup Invitational. Adena Springs bred Shaman Ghost, who finished second in the inaugural running of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational.
War Story/Game Over
Owner: Ron Paolucci and Ashley Quartarolo. | Trainer: Jorge Navarro
The connections are still considering which one of two horses they will have in the Pegasus starting gate. War Story, a graded-stakes winner, would enter off a fourth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The lightly-raced Game Over was most recently fourth in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). Both are stabled at Gulfstream Park West.
West Coast
Owner: Gary and Mary West. Trainer: Bob Baffert
Winner of the Travers Stakes and third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, this 3-year-old has won six of nine starts and has never finished worse than third. Currently training at Santa Anita.
For the latest news and updates follow the Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @pegasusworldcup and at www.pegasusworldcup.com
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