Since its roots in 2017, the Pegasus World Cup has become the most-awaited sport it is known as today. Although it hasn’t been long since its creation, plenty of big-name celebrities are coming to witness South Florida’s leading luxury sport and glimpse the most iconic event.
With such a reputation, it’s only suitable for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational to up its standards, and what better way than with a three million prize for the race. Along with the A-listers, you’re going to see these prominent stars grace the 1 and ⅛ mile dirt track:
Saudi Crown
You can guarantee a good outcome with your Pegasus odds with Saudi Crown amongst the Colts. This thoroughbred racehorse earned his Grade 1 credentials when he won the 1 million dollar Pennsylvania Derby. Although the rain made the track quite sloppy, Saudi Crown still ran like a rocket to the end, proving that the track had no hold on his success.
Aside from this, he has also won the G3 Dwyer race and the G2 Jim Dandy Race this year. Additionally, Saudi Crown is the son of the proud Always Dreaming, a retired racehorse who has won the 2017 Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby. With this, you can say that racing was always in this colt’s blood.
First Mission
First Mission, the son of Street Sense who won the Kentucky Derby in 2007, has earned himself the Pegasus World Cup spot this year. Moreover, this racehorse captured the G3 Lexington race at Keeneland, where he held on an assertive streak in the race against Arabian Lion and Prairie Hawk. First Mission has set himself for the big leagues in the Preakness.
Hoist The Gold
The five-year-old colt has made quite the record in horse racing. Last year alone, he had stake wins, including the G2 Phoenix Race and the G2 Cigar Mile. Moreover, Hoist the Gold had the highest figures in Cigar Mile history, where he led the race and won by 4 and ½ lengths.
Hoist the Gold is also trained under Dallas Stewart, the man responsible for Kentucky Derby champions like Serena’s Song and Thunder Gulch. In his entire career, he has 973 wins, with 28 in 2023 alone. With this, you’re guaranteed that Hoist the Gold will be in great hands for the Pegasus Cup.
Trademark
Trademark is no rookie in the big leagues, as he has been in the industry since 2015. In recent years, the veteran colt has stakes wins in the 2022 Commonwealth Turf Stakes, the 2023 Michael Schaefer Memorial, and the 2023 Clark Stakes. Moreover, his most recent Clark Stakes race showed his grit as a racehorse when he prevailed against fan favorite First Mission.
At the final turn, First Mission took the lead at the stretch, but Trademark took out his best stride and caught up with a mile remaining. Trademark moved forward in the final 100 yards, whereas First Mission struggled to fight back. In the end, a photo determined the narrow winner, and the win went to Trademark. With this, Trademark earned his first-graded stakes title and became horse racing’s new millionaire.
Grand Aspen
Although Grand Aspen is a late bloomer in horse racing, he has earned his way to the invitational list of the Pegasus Cup. Moreover, there’s more to see from the thoroughbred, especially since he’s under trainer Todd Pletcher, a legend in horse racing.
Under his belt, there is already a win from Life Is Good in the 2022 Pegasus World Cup and a back-to-back win from Colonel Liam in the 2021 and 2022 Pegasus World Cup Invitational. It doesn’t end there, as Todd Pletcher has eight Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Trainer.
Il Miracolo
You’d think you’ve seen the last of Il Miracolo, but he has recently been making noises in the second half of his 3-year season. He has earned himself a spot in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational with his efforts.
Last year, the thoroughbred blazed through grade 1, 2, and 3 stakes races – the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx, the Fayette at Keeneland, and the Smarty Jones Race at Parx, respectively. Despite his weak start in his career, the colt has a jaw made of steel as he continues on his pursuit in horse racing.
Skippy Longstocking
Skippy Longstocking has plenty to prove in the Pegasus. Last year, the colt only finished seventh place and was only recently making rounds with a third-place finish.
Moreover, he wasn’t always in a slump, as he had won a stakes race early on his debut. He went on a 10 and ½ length victory on a dirt track at Gulfstream Park. As a 3-year-old colt, he also finished third in the Wood Memorial Stakes, earning himself 20 points for the Kentucky Derby. Although the thoroughbred has been in a slump lately, who’s to say you won’t see a major comeback during the Pegasus Cup?
Final Thoughts
With the Pegasus Cup, you’re only given the best of the best in horse racing. With this, you can expect nothing short of such as each thoroughbred has earned a spot to compete. Moreover, there are still other racehorses waiting on the list as reserve invitees are still yet to be announced. Thus, be sure to keep your eyes peeled and look out for the latest updates of the Pegasus.
