1/23/21

  1  GP  The Pegasus World Cup Turf (GI)

              $300.000     4yo&Up     1 3/16m  Turf         124lbs

The gate should be full for Saturday’s The Pegasus World Cup Turf (GI) and boy oh boy do we have a nice group for this one.  I stuck to the inside gates and the probable chalk for my picks taking Iron Nation right on top.  If he can run back to that BC Mile (GI) victory, and he’s won at this distance, then he should be tough.  He’s on a three-race win streak, so let’s look for him to get the job done here.  Let’s drop down to the rail and give Immoral a hard look.  He was third in the BC Turf (GI) going a mile and a half, and was flying late in that one, like he does in all of his races.  He should be in the middle of this one when they run down the lane.  I’ll stay with this plan and put Anoush Command in the picture as well.  He runs will in big-purse races, so this should be his kind of race. 

This is a big one and I’d expect everyone to come with their lunches packed.

Here’s The Field –

Big year for this one in 2020 showing four wins from nine starts and put a TON of money in the bank but that’s what happens when you win graded stakes, plus add in a solid third place finish in the BC Turf (GI) where he was sent off as the post-time favorite.  It’s hard to go past any Mb Stables entry, but this one is a horse you have to give a big chance to every time he loads into the gate. 

Since we are on the subject of big years, you certainly have to look at this Nakamura Stables trained gelding as he took five wins in eight starts including a big win in the BC Mile (GI), so he comes into this one on a three race win-streak.  A mile may be his wheel-house but he took the SAR Derby at this distance.  He should not be ignored. 

Had back to back bad races in the PA Derby (GI) and the BC Dirt Mile (GI) so they moved him to the grass and it may have woken him up.  Nice win in the HOL Derby (GI) and has been working on the grass, looking like he really has found a new lease on life.  This is a tough group of horses so we will see what he is made of.

The old guy ain’t ready for Virtual Old Friends quite yet and ended his 2020 season with back to back wins i the River City Hcp (GIII) at here at GP taking the Ft Lauderdale (GII).  He might be a 7yo but he’s running lights out right now, so don’t skip over him. 

Two wins last season and they came prior to the vet stopping by and changing his demeanor.  Broke maiden then won an Alw race at LAD, both on the grass.  He was close in a number of stakes, including a second in his season finale at DMR in the HOL Turf Cup (GII).  Can he find enought to push him over the tops?  It’s a tough group to do it with. 

Well this one certainly didn’t do much wrong last year on the board in nine of ten starts, six of those wins and a trio of runner up races all vs tough company.  He won the BC Turf (GI) and other than that eighth at KYD on a soft course, he was as good as you could want a horse to be. 

Another that fired his best shots early in the 20 season, then backed off a bit.  Won the Pan Am (GII) over this couse and the San Marco (GII) at SA prior to that, but his last five starts were wanting.  Can he turn it around or is it another long day at the office?

Only two wins but he made them count taking the ARL Million (GI) and the HOL Turf Cup (GII), both of those are huge feathers in the cap for any turf horse.  He was eleventh on BC Day but bounced back for that HOL win, so he comes into this with a bit of momentum. 

Only a single win last season but he made it count taking the Pattison Canadian International (GI) over a nice group and at the marathon mile and a half distance.  He was also runner up in the Kilroe Mile (GI) at SA so he can make a splash in a big race.  Can he do it today?

He had a pair of graded wins in 20 taking the PIM Special (GIII) and the Autumn (GII) at WO, both of those on the main track and that’s where he’s spent his career.  It’s an interesting spot to move over to the turf, and I can’t even find a am gallop on the green stuff so this one is a wildcard here. 

He finished his 20 season on a high note taking The Smith (GIII) to get back on the right side of things.  He’s been a turf horse almost all of his career and has seem some tough fields, so maybe he’s growing into his own and can pull an upset here today. 

Was on a roll in the summer, taking some of his biggest wins including the AP Classic (GIII) at today’s distance.  Can he find some of the magic to make himself a factor here today?  That third in the San Gabriel (GII) shows that he’s in good shape right now and could fool some people

COZMAN Picks   2 / 1 / 3         Willie’s Green Card     8 / 5 / 1

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES