Pegasus World Cup (Grade 1)- $500.000 Purse
GP- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
January 23, 2021
The field for the Pegasus World Cup was impressive, although that was to be expected. Seeing long time veterans Splash Mountain and Tactical go up against a couple of the newer stars, Charleys Latte and Space Commander, who were first and second in the BC Classic would be a treat. The talent in the gate extended well beyond them as well. The purse for the race was not what it could be if we were simulating the real world, as the race continues to follow the purse structure of the Donn Handicap. After an entertaining nine furlongs, it would be Space Commander coming from off the pace to pick up the win, marking the first time that trainer Nakamura Stables has won this race, and that is also true for jockey S Ryan. Congratulations to them! The race was won in a time of 1:47.35, the quickest edition since 2013. Let’s take a look!
(½ Mile- :47.16)- Combat Wombat broke very well out of the gate for Maxmillion Farm, but he would soon be passed a very ambitious Ice Wall, running for RNP Stables, who would make the most of his outside post. His charge happened within the turn, and by the time he hit the backstretch, he had a two length lead. At half a mile, Combat Wombat saw himself get passed by a couple more, including the outside running Charleys Latte as Estero Farms’ reigning BC Classic Champion sought to be near the front, making a different strategy than he had in the Classic. Gran Z ran third for Maxmillion Farm here, to the outside of his stablemate, while Splash Mountain, from John Henry, was the inside horse of this three wide group. Longshot Masons Day was in close proximity for Gdp Inc. After a little more than a length, For The Boys (Fractious) and Tactical (Mb Stables) ran together, and it was another length to the eventual winner, Space Commander, out of Nakamura Stables, who was in the fourth lane at this point. Obeah Mon (Night Rider Stables) was in a similar position on the rail. Next came Heretowinthisfight (Fractious) and Achilles (Mb Stables), then another length to the sluggish starting Stark (D J C Racing Stables).
(¾ Mile- 1:10.58)- Nothing too crazy happened during this portion of the race as Ice Wall continued to lead the field. Giving us our primary source of excitement here was Charleys Latte, who pushed forward in an assertive manner to get about a length behind Ice Wall, but also to move over closer to the rail. Splash Mountain began to advance a bit early into the turn while both Gran Z and Combat Wombat held their ground. It was getting very tight behind them, as they were spread out five wide with For The Boys a bit in front. This would certainly be a group to watch within the turn and heading into the stretch. Space Commander was part of this, running in the fifth lane, which was clear ahead of him.
(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- It is still Ice Wall in front, and he is looking pretty good in that spot right now as he fights off the challenge from Charleys Latte. That one lost some ground in the turn, and saw himself getting passed by the 2018 BC Classic winner, Splash Mountain, for the second position. Gran Z was doing a good job running in the fourth lane for now, and seemed to be on the verge of getting back around Charleys Latte, himself. Combat Wombat was hanging with this group, but did not look like he was going to have enough to make a bid for the win. Meanwhile, the horse to watch now was Space Commander. He was part of that five wide group in the turn, and even though he was in the outermost lane, he had great track position to make a move, and he made a move. At the top of the stretch, he was up to the sixth position, with about 2-3 lengths to make up. Certainly, Space Commander was now lurking as a major threat to win this race. Obeah Mon saw a nice hole open up right in front of him to take advantage of. Tactical was not getting involved, and was potentially boxed in here behind Combat Wombat and Heretowinthisfight, who was advancing to his outside.
(Finish- 1:47.35)- As Ice Wall continues to try and win this race with a front running style, Space Commander is looking real good on the outside. He gets kicked out another lane by Gran Z on exit of the turn, but continues to cut into the advantage. With a furlong to go, he had about a length and a half to make up, so the question now would be if he would have enough time to pull it off. That was soon answered, as Space Commander would find an additional gear for the stretch and end up scoring a convincing win by over a length. Splash Mountain’s steady run from gate to wire saw him have enough to sneak past Ice Wall, with the pacesetter getting third. Obeah Mon gets fourth, taking the final piece of the purse from Maxmillion Farm, who sees Gran Z and Combat Wombat settle for 5th and 6th, but better than Mb Stables who sees Achilles and Tactical go 7th and 8th. Charleys Latte is 9th, then it’s the Fractious pair of For The Boys and Heretowinthisfight. Masons Day and Stark round it out.
About The Winner- Space Commander, trained by Nakamura Stables and ridden to victory by S Ryan, is a five year old gelding by Strategic Command, and is out of Queen of Queens. He was bred by John Henry in Ontario as a first quarter two year old, and acquired by Nakamura via Joshua Stables, in private sales for $110.000 in August 2019. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his 7th in 24 starts, his fifth stake win, and fourth graded win. It is his first win in a Grade 1, and his career earnings are now $2,189.200.
Track: Fast
Time: :47 1:102 1:344 1:471
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 11 – 3 Paid 69.50
$1 Trifecta: 11 – 3 – 13 Paid 768.80
Scratched: None
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
