The world’s richest horse race will take place at Gulfstream Park on Saturday January 27th, and Virginia-bred Stellar Wind is expected to compete in her biggest test yet. Here’s an update on the field for the $16 million Pegasus World Cup. Wagering will be available in Richmond at Breakers Sports Grille and Ponies & Pints, and in Chesapeake at Buckets Bar & Grill.
©Benoit Photo
The inaugural running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, held earlier this year at Gulfstream Park, sure lived up to the hype when we saw Arrogate continue his domination. On January 27, 2018, the Pegasus World Cup returns to Gulfstream Park, running for a new record-setting purse of $16 million. Whether you’re looking for stakeholders, contenders, Pegasus Day races, news, 2017 Pegasus World Cup results and payouts, picks and tips, or handicapping advice, you will have the most updated information here.
2018 PEGASUS WORLD CUP STAKEHOLDERS
The way that the Pegasus World Cup works is simple. The race is comprised of 12 stakeholders, each representing a group of individuals and owner groups that purchased a spot in the starting gate for $1 million each. For 2018, another $4 million will be contributed by The Stronach Group, making the purse an astronomical $16 million. The official 2018 stakeholders are still taking shape and will be updated below as soon as they are announced. (2) SPOTS REMAIN UNSOLD
| HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | STAKEHOLDER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnevera | TBD | Antonio Sano | Venezuelan owner Salomon Del-Vallee has reached a deal with Pegasus stakeholder William Gallo of Gallo Stables and Bella Inizio Farm |
| Toast of New York | TBD | Jamie Osborne | Pegasus stakeholders Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, R.A. Hill Stable, and Eric Young have reached a deal with Al Shaqab Racing |
| Seeking the Soul | John Velazquez | Dallas Stewart | Charles Fipke purchased one spot in the Pegasus, which will be used for this year’s Clark Handicap winner Seeking the Soul. Fipke had also discussed running Forever Unbridled right after she won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), but since indicated he’d run only one horse |
| Gun Runner | TBD | Steve Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm |
| West Coast | TBD | Bob Baffert | Gary and Mary West |
| Collected | TBD | Bob Baffert | Speedway Stable LLC |
| Stellar Wind | TBD | Chad Brown | Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith (Coolmore Stud) could likely be filled by Stellar Wind; the group purchased her at Keeneland November |
| War Story/Game Over | TBD | Jorge Navarro | Ron Paolucci and Ashley Quartarolo |
| Sharp Azteca | TBD | Jorge Navarro | Adena Springs is owned by the Stronach Family and appears possible to use spot on Sharp Azteca |
| Giant Expectations | Gary Stevens | Peter Eurton | The ownership group of Exline-Border Racing, Gatto Racing, and Garrett Zubok made a deal with The Stronach Group |
2018 PEGASUS WORLD CUP RACES AND CONTENDERS
The inaugural 2017 Pegasus World Cup Invitational was not the only stakes race at Gulfstream Park that day, as we saw several stakes races run on the undercard, too. A few of the highlights included Curlin’s Approval winning the $100,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes, Imperative rallying to win a thrilling $400,000 Poseidon Handicap over Stanford, Suffused taking the Grade 3, $200,000 La Prevoyante Handicap, and more. The 2018 Pegasus World Cup undercard looks to be even more impressive in 2018 as the Pegasus World Cup will be supported by seven stakes worth a total of $1.25 million. Check out the contenders for the entire Pegasus World Cup day below.
PEGASUS WORLD CUP INVITATIONAL
Purse: $16,000,000
Grade: 1
Distance: 1 1/8m Dirt
Age: 4+
Contenders: Collected, Destin, Forever Unbridled, Giant Expectations, Giuseppe the Great, Good Samaritan, Gunnevera, Gun Runner, Hoppertunity, Mind Your Biscuits, Prime Attraction, Seeking the Soul, Sharp Azteca, Stellar Wind, Toast of New York, War Story, West Coast
FRED HOOPER
Purse: $125,000
Grade: 3
Distance: 1m Dirt
Age: 4+
Contenders:
W.L. MCKNIGHT
Purse: $200,000
Grade: 3
Distance: 1 1/2m Turf
Age: 4+
Contenders:
LA PREVOYANTE
Purse: $200,000
Grade: 3
Distance: 1 1/2m Turf
Age: 4+ F&M
Contenders:
HURRICANE BERTIE
Purse: $125,000
Grade: 3
Distance: 7F Dirt
Age: 4+ F&M
Contenders:
LADIES’ TURF SPRINT
Purse: $125,000
Grade: Ungraded
Distance: 5F Turf
Age: 4+ F&M
Contenders:
GULFSTREAM PARK TURF SPRINT
Purse: $125,000
Grade: Ungraded
Distance: 5F Turf
Age: 4+
Contenders:
SOUTH BEACH
Purse: $125,000
Grade: Ungraded
Distance: 7 1/2F Turf
Age: 4+ F&M
Contenders:
