Handicapper's Corner: 2024 Pegasus World Cup Turf - Brother, What a Good Race

 Brother, What a Good Race

By: Michael Amo, ThoroFan Board Member

The Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf  Invitational Stakes has a long history and many different names. It was born in 1986 as a handicap race, the Gulfstream Park Breeders Cup Handicap.

Over 30 years later, in 2019, it was branded as part of the Pegasus series of races at Gulfstream. This year, after Siege of Boston and Paros scratched, 12 older horses will vie 1 1/8 miles on the turf course for a share of the $1,000,000 purse.

The weather in South Florida is predicted to be sunny, with temperatures around 69 degrees. The event is carded as race 12 of 13, with a 4:55 PM ET post time.

 Let’s look at the field.

1.Siege of Boston Scratched

2.Formidable Man (City of Light) Working bullets and should be off the pace in mid-pack. May not be fast enough. Pass.

3.Mi Hermano Ramon (Creative Cause) Works are good. Keeps Saez. Has improving figures over the last four races. Should be ready to win. Contender.

4.Win for the Money (Mohaymen) Keeps hot jockey Dylan Davis. Three in the money at Gulfstream. May have control of the race into the stretch with a reasonable closing move. In the money.

5.Integration (Quality Road) One of three starters for McGaughey with a strong closing move. Has had trouble in his last three, not performing up to his ability. Gets star jockey Dettori, who should get the best from him. Maybe in the lower exotics.

6.Major Dude (Bolt d’Oro) Trying Grade 1 company for a second time. The first try was not so good. Keeps Irad Ortiz. Working bullet for Pletcher, who brings two to the gate. Lower Exotics.

7.Nations Pride (Ire) ( Teofilo-Ire) Trainer Appleby brings jockey Buick trying to repeat their Arlington Million success. Should be sitting off the lead, ready to move in the stretch, and he’s making his second start off the layoff, so he may be ready. In the money.

8.Spirit of St. Louis (Medaglia) Another that does his running late. Gets new jockey, Franco. Trying Gulfstream turf for the first time. Working nice. Form shows more improvement. Lower exotics.

9.Balnikhv (Ire) (Adaay-Ire)  Has a great closing move that should help in this field loaded with off-the-pace runners. Layoff may be a problem, although working nicely. Watch the board. Not sure?

10.Battle of Normandy (City of Light) Working nice. Long layoff, although hasn’t caused a problem before. Won his last three on the turf. Form figures improving. May be ready with new jockey, Jose Ortiz up. Maybe in exotics.

11.Grand Sonata (Medaglia d’Oro) Backed up in Breeders’ Cup Turf. Working Bullet. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez replaces Gaffalione, who goes to Brown’s horse. Interesting. Another day.

12.Chasing the Crown (Skipshot) Stepping up in company. Hasn’t won any graded races. New jockey, Zayas. He will be coming at the end, but it may be too much for him to accomplish. Pass.

13.Fort Washington (AE) (War Front) Trying to break into Grade 1 company. His last three have shown promise. McGaughy others look better.

14.Paros (AE) Scratched

Thoughts 

The dangerous one looks like Fort Washington. The pace should be moderate, and as in most turf races, the contenders will be coming at the end.

Davis on Win for the Money could hold on for a piece if I am right on the pace. The two Irish horses have to be respected. Brown and Gaffalione with the New York-bred could surprise. All said, this will be an exciting race with opportunities to light up the board.

Here is how I think they will finish

3. Mi Hermano Ramon (8-1)

4. Win for the Money (12-1)

7. Nations Pride (2-1)

8. Spirit of St. Louis (20-1)

Handigamble

          $20 Win & place-- 3-Mi Hermano Ramon  $40.00

$2 Trifecta Box---3, 4, 7, 8  $48.00     

$2 Exacta Box ---3, 4, 7   $12.00