Invites have been despatched to the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park on January 24, and the 1 1/8-mile stakes is shaping as much as be a aggressive race with many engaging contenders.
Now that we all know the place the potential spots are for the Pegasus World Cup, let’s take a fast take a look at the gamers in tier format. This yr, the most certainly winner might not come from the highest tier. In truth, my prime choice is nearly definitely not, as I plan to fade out two individuals inside that group.
1) Bounceback Breeders’ Cup Winner Tier
Furserano, white avario
As I stated above, I do not assume there might be any winners from this tier, however I believe we have to begin the dialogue with the 2 Breeders’ Cup winners. white avariothe 2023 Breeders’ Cup Basic winner, and the 2024 Huge Asfan Breeders’ Cup Grime Mile winner Furserrano have each clearly confirmed themselves to be at this stage. Extremely, White Avario gained the Pegasus World Cup a yr in the past by six and 1 / 4 lengths. Nonetheless, each horses might be heading into this race with query marks. White Avario obtained a vet wound earlier than the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Grime Mile earlier than being scratched within the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector Stakes in favor of coaching as much as Pegasus. Jockey White Avario has not raced since dropping his place within the Jockey Membership Gold Cup at Saratoga on August thirty first, and has solely had three coaching periods made public since November. Full Serrano In 2025, he raced 3 times and gained just one allowance race, and entered Pegasus after ending fifth within the 2025 Grime Mile. Each have the potential to beat Pegasus, however I am wanting elsewhere for prime alternatives.
2) younger gun layer
captain cook dinner, chunk of gold, disco time, purpose oriented, poster, tappan road
OK, I do know this group is not Younger Younger, however this proficient sextet, who just lately turned 4 years previous, brings loads of depth to this race. You might be, in alphabetical order: 2025 Wizards Stakes Winners captain cook dinner2025 West Virginia Derby Winner gold nugget2024 Remsen Stakes Winner posterundefeated main prize winner disco time2025 Malibu S winner horse purpose oriented2025 Curlin Florida Derby Introduced by Hill & Dale Farms at Xalapa Winner tappan road. gold nuggetfinal yr’s Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby runner-up, has the quickest prime Equibase Velocity Determine (114) and quickest ultimate race Equibase Velocity Determine (113) on this division. He is in nice form for coach Ethan West. Corridor of Fame coach Bob Baffert has gained three of the 9 editions of Pegasus; purpose oriented On December 28, he gained the Malibu Stakes by one size with a career-best 112 Equibase Velocity Determine. He proved able to competing towards elite competitors, as he completed third in each the NYRA Wager’s Haskell Invitational Stakes and the Pennsylvania Derby. disco time Coach Bud Cox, who has gained three consecutive stakes races in 5 races in his profession and gained this race at Nick’s Go in 2021, gained the Dwyer Stakes on November eighth by 9 and three/4 lengths to win a brand new file 112 Equibase Velocity Determine. tappan road He returned from an eight-and-a-half month absence and gained the one-mile allowance race at Gulfstream Park on December nineteenth. This was Sovereignty’s first begin since beating Sovereignty within the Florida Derby, a race wherein Sovereignty went on to win the Kentucky Derby introduced by Woodford Reserve, the Belmont Stakes introduced by NYRA Bets, and the DraftKings Travers Stakes. That is very flattering! I believe Tappan Road has particular potential and we should always have sufficient pace early on to arrange a great tempo. Tappan Road, additionally educated by Cox, will very doubtless be my prime choice.
3) veteran veterinarian
skippy lengthy stockings
skippy lengthy stockings He has gained 12 of 35 races and 9 stakes wins, incomes greater than $3.7 million. The 7-year-old has competed in at the least one race yearly since 2021, competing towards prime rivals and scoring a stakes victory in December. If ‘Skippy’ matches his career-best efficiency he might be a menace to win, however that might be a troublesome process as his equibase pace numbers are trending downward. This might be his fourth try at Pegasus. His finest end was third place in 2025. Word: rattle & roll He was initially listed on this slot as nicely, however the Each day Racing Type reported that he can be nominated for the $20 million Saudi Cup as a substitute.
4) bubble busters layer
Bishop’s Bay, Touchponaster
Judging by what I’ve examine this yr’s Pegasus; Bishop’s Bay and touchna star I’m contemplating collaborating within the race, however I’ve no plans to enter the lock. If their connections select to offer it a strive, they belong and have the potential to turn into severe gamers. The Bishop’s Bay coach has gained six of his final seven races for coach Brad Cox, most just lately successful the one-mile 49er Stakes at Aqueduct in November and the Grade 2 Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct in December. He was a stakes winner in about two turns and was pretty much as good as ever, incomes a career-best 114 Equibase Velocity Determine within the Cigar Mile. Touchponaster is a pressure of nature in his residence state of Louisiana, with 16 stakes wins below his belt. His solely main win got here on the Fairgrounds in March 2025, however all three out-of-state journeys led to defeat. The Touchpona star will at the least be a tempo issue if he makes the journey to Florida, and his Equibase pace numbers point out he’ll be a powerful favourite to win if he enjoys Gulfstream Park’s important course.
