We have taken a look at the horses looking at the US$3 million Pegasus World Cup field.
1. True Timber: Third in three straight graded races in New York two of them while chasing the speedy Maximum Security he’s seeking first stakes win and doesn’t figure to get it here. True Timber ran evenly to be seventh in last year’s Pegasus.
2. Tax: Shug McGaughey's gelding ran exceptionally well in the Discovery Stakes, albeit he ran second. He's improving and Spun to Run no longer in the game, Tax could well be...taxing!
3. Diamond Oops: Diamond Oops stumbled at the break of his prior two-turn dirt try in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile but this is a fresh opportunity.
4. Seeking the Soul: He won one of eight starts in 2019. The 7yo seems a step slower.
5. Omaha Beach: The heavy favourite here and with Spun to Run no longer competing, only a small foot bruise seems to affect his stride.
6. Higher Power: Having earned a pair of thirds in Grade 1 company in California, but only after stumbling at the start in the Awesome Again and breaking slowly in the Breeders' Cup Classic. If Higher Power can get away cleanly and repeat that Del Mar effort, he holds an upset chance.
7. War Story: He is on to the Pegasus for the third time in a new barn. The 8YO is a mid-pack runner who could get an earlier run on to the board. Spun to Run's scratch doesn't help his chances, however, as that one figured to tire out other pace types.
8. Mr Freeze: The dominant winner of the 2018 West Virginia Derby hasn’t duplicated that effort, but there have been flickers, namely a victory in the 2019 Ack Ack at Churchill Downs. The thinking here is we haven’t seen his best lately. But can Mr Freeze get back to it?
9. Mucho Gusto: With new Saudi Arabian ownership, with this view as a prep for the Feb. 29 Saudi Cup. He's in position to be controlling speed on the outside.
10. Tenfold: This horse jumps up once in a while to deliver big efforts, such as his wins in the 2018 Jim Dandy and 2019 Pimlico Special. But we’re past eight months since he’s hit the board. Works haven’t been especially sharp for this spot, either.
11. Bodexpress: Despite moving through conditions with two post-Preakness Stakes victories, antics at the gate may have cost him again in the local Pegasus prep, the Harlan’s Holiday. Surely, though, we haven’t seen his best, if at least he can get the mental side of the game down. He has speed, and he'll need it on a short run to the first turn.
Click here to watch the race 2019
Race Info:
Distance: 1 1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs), Surface: Dirt, Track: left-handed, Qualification: Four-year-olds and up, Weight: 124 pounds (56 kg) with allowances, Purse: $3 million (2020)