News - 04/04/24
Cheltenham Gold Cup: Distance, going play to Galopin Des Champs' strengths
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Pegasus World Cup 2024: First Mission can start 4-year-old year off right
Category : News
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Thu 25/01/2024 - 06:08 EST
The handicap division gets underway for real on Saturday, January 27 at Gulfstream Park with the Pegasus World Cup (G1)! This $3 million race drew an overflow field of 12 invitees plus one on the also-eligible list. With such a big field, no wonder it is one of the top betting horse races of the year.
Even though the Pegasus World Cup only started in 2017, its winners’ list is impressive and the race has already established itself as the first major target for older dirt routers. Stars like Arrogate, Gun Runner, Knicks Go, and City of Light have achieved signature victories in the Pegasus World Cup. And, this is the place to find out the best contenders in the 2024 edition, and find out the best places to bet the Pegasus World Cup in California!
Pegasus World Cup Betting Online
A visit to Florida for the Pegasus World Cup would be excellent, but we cannot all make it across the country. However, it is still possible to be part of the action from right here in California! Our online racebook reviews can introduce you to the websites that will get you the best betting experience from home, or anywhere with an internet connection.
Taking a few minutes to choose the best site now can build your bankroll by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. All of the recommended sites have market-leading odds, and they all offer bonuses you’ll never find at the track like deposit and sign-up bonuses, horse racing rebates, and referral benefits.
Let our experts help you find the best racebook bonuses, and get ready to maximize your bankroll through the Pegasus World Cup and beyond!
Pegasus World Cup Field
This is the official field for the 2024 Pegasus World Cup including post positions, trainers, jockeys, and morning lines:
- Nimitz Class (George Weaver/Edgard Zayas) - 20/1
- O’Connor (Saffie Joseph, Jr./Paco Lopez) - 8/1
- Dynamic One (Todd Pletcher/Irad Ortiz, Jr.) - 15/1
- Hoist the Gold (Dallas Stewart/John Velazquez) - 12/1
- Trademark (Victoria Oliver/Fernando de la Cruz) - 15/1
- Senor Buscador (Todd Fincher/Junior Alvarado) - 20/1
- National Treasure (Bob Baffert/Flavien Prat) - 9/5
- First Mission (Brad Cox/Luis Saez) - 7/2
- Grand Aspen (Todd Pletcher/Jose Ortiz) - 8/1
- Il Miracolo (Antonio Sano/Javier Castellano) - 20/1
- Crupi (Todd Pletcher/Frankie Dettori) - 20/1
- Skippylongstocking (Saffie Joseph/Tyler Gaffalione) - 8/1
- Castle Chaos (Robert Falcone, Jr./Tyler Gaffalione) - ALSO ELIGIBLE
Note that Castle Chaos will not race unless a horse scratches from the main field before the Saturday-morning deadline. Gulfstream Park did not assign morning-line odds for Castle Chaos.
Keep in mind that these morning lines are just projections, not guaranteed prices on the horses. They can help you figure out what horses might be hot or cold on the board, but the actual price fluctuates until the horses break from the gate.
Your best bet is to play the Pegasus World Cup online. Online sportsbooks offer fixed-odds wagering on major races like the Pegasus, meaning you can lock in the best price on your selection the moment you bet. Then, you don’t have to worry about late odds changes and you know exactly what you will be paid when your horse wins.
These are the Pegasus World Cup odds for horses at the top of the market at leading California racebooks:
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Treasure | +135 | +180 | +180 |
| First Mission | +300 | +350 | +350 |
| Trademark | +900 | +900 | +900 |
| Grand Aspen | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Hoist the Gold | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| O'Connor | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Skippylongstocking | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
Pegasus World Cup Handicapping
With your betting account at the ready, it is time to meet the leading contenders and handicap the 2024 Pegasus World Cup!
Pegasus World Cup Favorites
National Treasure should be a heavy favorite in the Pegasus World Cup. He comes out of the traditionally live Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, he has a sharp frontrunning style, and he is trained by two-time Pegasus-winning conditioner Bob Baffert. However, there are reasons to be skeptical. He hasn’t run since the Breeders’ Cup, and typically needs one off a layoff. And, he has never been the most consistent. At such a short price, be wary.
A better bet is First Mission. He has early speed, which plays well at Gulfstream, but does better from a stalking spot then from right on the lead. That kind of running style should get an advantage the way the Pegasus sets up. The 1 ⅛-mile distance suits him very well as well, and he proved when second in the Clark that he can effectively hang with older horses.
Pegasus World Cup Exotics Horses
Even though Hoist the Gold has yet to prove that he is a two-turn horse, his pedigree makes him an interesting prospect for this distance. He has well-proven and tactical speed at one turn, though, suggesting he should be able to get a good forward trip in this two-turn race. For trainer Dallas Stewart, who has a great history of sending out live long shots, he is an upset prospect.
Skippylongstocking has to deal with a tough outside post, but otherwise there is a lot to like. He is well proven over the Gulfstream dirt, and has a good record at the 1 ⅛-mile distance of this race. If he can work out a clean outside stalking trip, he may have enough at the end despite the challenging draw.
Though closers do not tend to win often at Gulfstream, there is enough pace in this race to suggest a closer can invade the exotics. The strongest candidate to do just that is Senor Buscador. He is a consistent horse who often closes up ground late against horses of just this kind of class, and he can bring a good race with him to different tracks, suggesting the new footing won’t be a problem.
2024 Pegasus World Cup Free Picks
You have created your betting account and gotten to know the top contenders. There’s just one thing left to do: place your bets! Here are the best bets for Saturday’s 2024 Pegasus World Cup:
- $20 to win - #8 First Mission
- $5 to win/place - #4 Hoist the Gold
- $1 exacta key - #8 First Mission with #4 Hoist the Gold, #12 Skippylongstocking
- $0.50 trifecta key - #8 First Mission with #4 Hoist the Gold, #6 Senor Buscador, #12 Skippylongstocking
- $0.20 superfecta key - #8 First Mission with #4 Hoist the Gold, #6 Senor Buscador, #7 National Treasure, #12 Skippylongstocking
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