1/29/22

 10  GP   The Pegasus World Cup Turf (GI)

  $1,000.000        4yo&Up        1 1/8m  Turf          124lbs

It’s a huge weekend of racing down in Hallandale and we look at the field for The Pegasus World Cup Turf (GI), a $1,000.000 mile and an eighth stakes that has brought out the best of the best in turf racing.  The gate should be full and it’s a classy bunch so picking horses in this one is tough… I went with the rail and took Sunlander to keep his hot hand going.  When you take down the BC Turf (GI), not much more needs to be said.  Let’s take a big look at Nevada Silver as well… he won the BC Mile (GI) and that was his third win in a row and he seems to just get in front and keep on going.  There’s a few others that deserve a serious look, and Iron Nation is one that rattles me.  It should be a humdinger…  let’s get it on!!       

Here’s The Field –

Took down the BC Turf (GI) to close out his ’21 season that featured a pair of wins and a runner-up finish, where he also changed barns at the June Auction for just $94.240, and that after he ran second in this race last season.  He was rested from Aug to Oct after a trio of less than thrilling trips to the track, but he came back a different horse, winning the Henry Championship (GII) at SA prior to his BC Day victory.  So, we know he runs well fresh, but can he overcome my self-through BC curse?

Four wins and a pair of seconds, thirds put some serious cash in the bank for this one.  The first of the three-headed Mb Monster, and he bounced back to win the HOL Derby (GI) after running sixth in the BC Turf (GI).  Three of his four of his ’21 wins were graded including the Transylvania (GIII) at KEE and the SAR Derby (GI).  He can run big when the purse is big. 

On the board in seven of twelve starts including three wins and took the Twilight Derby (GII) at SA before a runner-up finish in the HOL Derby (GI) to close out the season.  He seems to be running big right now, and his best certainly should put him in the mix when they turn for home. 

His only ’21 win came in the Canadian Turf (GIII) at GP, a year ago, but he did have three runner-up races including last out in the San Gabriel (GII) at SA.  He closed fast to be fifth in the BC Mile (GI) so it’s obvious that he can run with just about any type, and may come with some odds. 

He was fourth in this race last season and now at the age of eight, he is defying the odds here at HRP.  You gotta hand it to the old feller, and he had a pair of wins last season, taking the Muniz Memorial (GII) at FG and the Knickerbocker (GIII) at BEL, along with a trio of runner-up races.  He’s a fan favorite, that’s for sure. 

He only beat one horse in the ’21 rendition of this race and only shows a single win in that season, but he knocked down the Hirsch Turf Classic (GI) at BEL and then was second in the BC Turf (GI) making it a very profitable year, indeed.  He was running his best at the end of the season, so can he transfer that in to ’22?

A pair of wins last season including the JC Derby at BEL and the San Gabriel (GII) at SA, two very nice purses to put in the bank.  He tired late in the BC Turf (GI) to only beat a few, but when he’s right, he seems to be able to run with just about any type.  He’s best on the front end, so I’d look for his name early, at the minimum. 

An all or nothing type that had four wins from nine starts, but wasn’t on the board in any of his other seasonal starts.  His last three ’21 starts were off-the-board finishes, but on the up-side, his first three ’21 starts were victories, so maybe he runs well fresh. 

Won three of his first four ’21 starts while on the TC Trail, taking the Sham (GIII), Risen Star 9GII) and LA Derby (GII) but his only other season win came in the St Louis Derby at FP.  He had a pair of third in graded company as well, so he’s capable for sure.  His only turf start was a dud in the BEL Derby, so….

The third part of the Mb 3-headed dragon and this one was on-the-board in six of nine starts including wins in the Makers Mark Mile (GI) and Forrester Turf (GI) and he closed fast to be third in the BC Mile (GI).  He was third in this race last year so you understand the resume and this ability.  He deserves a big look today. 

Four wins from this one in ’21 and comes into today with three in a row, taking the biggest race of his life in his BC Mile (GI) win at DMR.  Obviously, he’s in the best form of his life and his speed-style certainly works well, so if you ignore him today, do so at your own risk… he’s on top of his game. 

Three wins last season and nothing bigger than that victory in the WO Mile (GI).  He flattened out a big after that race running ninth in the BC Mile (GI) and fifth in the Hernandez (GII).  Obviously, when he runs his best, he can take down any field. 

Four wins last year, and he won last out, but that was vs. Alw company and his three previous graded efforts were all of the board.  He did win the AP Classic (GIII) back in July, and he did that in wire-to-wire fashion, same as that last out win, so is that his move?

She won four race last season and was fourth in the BC Mile (GI), facing males in a few of her starts last year.  My dislike of girls vs. the boys is well known, but she’s held her own in the past.  Still, it’s a tough field.

Was on the board in nine of twelve starts but both wins came at the Alw level.  He was close in a number of graded races and this could be a big year for him.

Tagged for a mere $14.000 and what a claim he has been.  Won the Ft Lauderdale (GII) over this track last out and has four win since the hostile take over… watch this one in ’22.

 COZMAN     1 / 11 / 6             Willie’s Green Card     6 / 9 / 10

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES