Pegasus World Cup Turf (Grade 1)- $1,000.000 Purse
GP- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Turf
January 25, 2025

It’s Pegasus World Cup weekend, and here we were look at the bigger of the two turf races, based on their purses, that will take place on Saturday. It is the World Cup Turf, a Grade 1 the runs for the 21st time, and for the seventh time under the Pegasus World Cup Turf name. The purse was increased to $1,000.000 from $300.000 in 2022. Going back in its history a little bit, the race was won by the great Dogma in three consecutive years from 2006 to 2008 and also saw the late Royale Matchmaker win back-to-back in 2010 and 2011. A lot of those fields back then were smaller, and now this is a race that you can count on to have a full starting gate. That was the case last year when King Que Niagra captured the race for D J C Racing Stables, and now that one will look to do what only Dogma and have Royale Matchmaker have done and win the Pegasus World Cup Turf. Let’s meet him and those in his way now:

1- Gallant (Pan Farms, ridden by J Bravo)- A new arrival at Pan Farms, as the trainer picked him in the most recent auction for $65.010. The five-year-old was successful under its prior owner, winning four times in 21 starts, but only hit the board once in his last six, and perhaps that had something to do with him being entered in the auction. Over that stretch, he had a strong second place run just two back in the Grade 1 AP Million in August, so Pan Farms is hoping he can reclaim that form. However, it has also been over four months since this horse last raced.

2- Grand Opening (Riggins Racing, ridden by D Cabrera)- Speaking of the AP Million, the horse that got the head bob on Gallant was indeed Grand Opening, which is a part of a stretch that saw five wins in his last six starts. None of them were any bigger than taking home the prestigious BC Turf in November, which was a fitting end to what was a fabulous season for him. Well, there would be one more race after that, an open allowance at PRX where he bullied a field seven and got the win. Options can be limited in early December, and Riggins likely just wanted to keep him fresh while not being at major weight disadvantage. Ran second in this race last year.

3- Tower Isle (Winning Link Stables, ridden by G Corrales)- Despite being a six-year-old, this gelding did not debut until the beginning of last year. The trainer’s patience has certainly paid off, as Tower Isle was won four times over seven races, with a massive victory happening in $500.000 Tapit Stakes at KD. Later, he would win the Grade 3 River City Handicap at CD, which was run a week after the BC took place. Struggled last month, but there is no reason to think that he could not bounce back.

4- King Que Niagra (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by J Lezcano)- The great King Que Niagra, perhaps the best active horse going in the game now after the recent retirement of La Terrifiant, will begin his eight-year-old season here and hopes to improve on his $7,200.600 in lifetime earnings. Ran fourth last year in the BC Turf, with his last victory coming in July at the Grade 2 United Nations Stakes at MTH. That was one of his two victories on the year, with the other coming here in the Pegasus World Cup Turf, which he won by close to a length. His last race was the first time since this race, in 2023, where he did not cash in on any portion of the purse and that may keep him from being the favorite here.

5- Jacks Courage (Mb Stables, ridden by J C Ferrer)- The former Travers winner was able to make the BC Mile last year, a year after finishing fourth in the BC Classic. In the Mile, he was never able to make his presence felt, but it did not spoil a year that saw him win over $1,000.000. Prior to that race, he won the WO Mile but will on occasion have a start where he is not able to be near the leaders. That may have been the case in the BC, which while at the wrong time for that, does not mean he cannot rebound well here.

6- Albaquirky (Santan Stables, ridden by L Dettori)- This is another horse that has been able to run on BC day twice over the last two years. Albaquirky was last seen in the BC Turf, and had a strong effort, running third and helping make over $2,300.000 on the year. It was a six-year-old campaign that saw three wins in eight races, with two of them being Grade 1’s. He’s now seven, but based on his SRF’s, he’s not going away anytime soon.

7- Diamond Haggis (John Henry, ridden by T Gaffalione)- Picked up by the trainer in the most recent auction from Fractious for $475.010. The sale came shortly after he had a successful November that saw two second place finishes. One of them came on the biggest stage, running second in the BC Mile, and he followed that up nicely in the Grade 1 HOL Derby. He’s just a tad shy of $2,000.000 in earnings for his career and under the guidance of John Henry, it won’t be long before that is surpassed, and then some.

8- Charlie Jace (Mb Stables, ridden by Mario Gutierrez)- Acquired by Mb Stables in June for $275.000 when he still had only three starts, and he has thrived since the sale, winning four out of five races. The one he didn’t win wasn’t too shabby either, running second in the Kings Plate and missing the head bob at the wire. Otherwise, this is a horse that has done a lot but has also has the feel of one that is just getting started. Won the HOL Derby last time out, and while we’re not talking about him being in the BC yet, he’s certainly trending in that direction.

9- Hawaiian Lord (Our Athletes, ridden by I Ortiz Jr)- After so many examples of finishing second or hitting the board, Hawaiian Lord was finally able to take the top spot in a graded race when he won the Fourstardave Handicap last August at SAR. He’s run three times since then, running third on two occasions, including last time out in the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale last month. Over his long, 43-start career, Hawaiian Lord has been able to be close at the wire, but only four times have been wins. Even if the fifth doesn’t come today, he should be in the mix.

10- King Luka (Night Rider Stables, ridden by L Saez)- Certainly a horse that has gotten better with time, as his six-year-old season was, by far, the best of his career. There was only one win, but it was a good one, in the Grade 1 Makers Mark Mile at KEE. Later in the year, he would run third in the BC Mile. Unfortunately, he is also a horse that is prone to those occasional duds, and that’s something that makes him tough to pick in a race like this. Plenty capable, but I feel I can trust others more.

11- Killer Instinct (Mb Stables, ridden by W T Buick)- For the second year in a row, Killer Instinct would end up finishing second in the BC Turf, and in each case, he was within a quarter length of victory. Those results have helped him accumulate of $4,000.000 in his career, and he will be hoping to return to the BC Turf and perhaps do one spot better this year. In 2024, he hit the board six out of eight times, with a win two back in the Grade 3 Singspiel Stakes. Always seems to be close at the wire, so he should at least start his 2025 well.

12- Wimbledon (Night Rider Stables, ridden by J L Ortiz)- Won twice in eight starts last year, but neither of those victories came in the stakes that he had attempted. You have to go back to December 2023 to find his last stake victory, although that almost changed in his last start. On the day after Christmas, Wimbledon was second in the Grade 2 San Gabriel after setting the early fractions. He’s been close and did also run third in the Pacific Classic last summer.

13- Sioux Arrival (High Voltage, ridden by D E Centeno)- He’ll come into this race off of a win in the Grade 2 HOL Turf Cup as a 23/1 longshot. He’s been able to win graded races over his career but is still looking for that Grade 1 victory. There have been a couple of attempts, but they have resulted in finishes in the middle of the pack. Based on his SRF’s and works, he certainly is capable, but for now is a name that will not stand out when against some of these rivals.

14- Jakarta (Nakamura Stables, ridden by S Elliott)- Our reigning BC Mile winner will begin his seven-year-old season needing to come from the outside in this race. Historically, starting from the outside is something that he has done in the past, and they represent some of his more disappointing race lines. Is that just a coincidence, or is that cause for concern with him? Otherwise, there is no reason to dislike Jakarta, he’s made over $3,700.00 over his career and beat the best the virtual racing world can throw at him two months ago. But he was dead last in this race last year, starting from post 12. Sure, he can nicely avenge that as well.

Prediction: 2-11-9-4

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES