Pegasus World Cup: Saturday's Gulfstream Racing Picks
One of the biggest events of the racing year is the $3 million Pegasus World Cup, which will have its fifth running on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Six supporting stakes races – including the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf – will accompany the big race to make up a blockbuster Florida racecard.
Race 4 - $125,000 Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3) - Click Here To Bet
Best Bet of the Day: #1 Performer (7-5) was third in Grade 1 company last out to a horse that would have been one of the top Pegasus choices before he scratched. Before that he won five races in a row, and has won over this distance. #7 Haikal (9-2) is the main danger but has struggled of late, this will be his second start for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Race 7 - $125,000 Marshua’s River Stakes (G3) - Click Here To Bet
#6 Evil Lyn (9-2) won by a nose in November, then lost by a nose in December. This stakes winner loves the grass and is three for six at the distance. #10 Sweet Bye and Bye (4-1) is in a new barn with Saffie Joseph, Jr. and figures to move up; she also likes the distance.
Race 8 - $125,000 La Prevoyante Stakes (G3) - Click Here To Bet
#11 Traipsing (4-1) was grade 3 placed two back, and has a win over this course. The lightly-race five-year-old is three for eight lifetime and in the capable hands of trainer Christophe Clement. If #7 Heavenly Curlin (9-2) takes to the grass, this streaking Mark Casse trainee will be very dangerous. Good draw for #1 Always Shopping (3-1) who will be the favorite, but is two for three on this track.
Race 9 - $200,000 Inside Information Stakes (G2) - Click Here To Bet
#2 Cinnabunny (3-1) will be the favorite as she runs for hot trainer Brad Cox and has tons of speed. #4 Thissmytime (7-2) offers value as she has won two in a row, and three of six on this track. #7 Sally’s Curlin (9-2) is the class of the field seeking a boost in her career off some disappointing efforts.
Race 10 - $150,000 W. L. McKnight Stakes (G3) - Click Here To Bet
Don’t love the draw for #11 Channel Cat (9-2), who has earned just under $1 million on the track. #5 Sadler’s Joy (3-1) is a $2.6 million earner, multiple stakes winner, and should win this race if there is enough speed in front of him. #1 Doswell (7-2) is the pick off a good second here behind a horse who is in the Pegasus Turf.
Race 11 - $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) - Click Here To Bet
#4 North Dakota (10-1) is coming off a strong win at Aqueduct for a barn that might have a stellar weekend. He has won four of his last six races and picks up Jose Ortiz. #5 Colonel Liam (7-2) is in his prime and makes a formidable duo with stablemate #6 Largent (9-2). #11 Say the Word (6-1) and #8 Anothertwistafate (5-1) ship in from California with very live shots.
Race 12 - $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) - Click Here To Bet
Obviously #4 Knicks Go (5-2) is the horse to beat off a big win in the Breeders’ Cup last out, but he has yet to run this far. That makes proven horses like #7 Tax (5-1) and #10 Code of Honor (9-2) both better prospects. #1 Sleepy Eyes Todd (8-1) is a fan favorite, having run at nine different tracks in his last nine races, and he is a graded winner on this course.