With two times defending champion Colonel Liam suddenly retired just days before the scheduled title defenseThe full pitch for the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) looks controversial as well as international.
Ivar were placed as 5-2 favorites on the light line when posting slots for the $1 million race were drawn between races on January 22 at Gulfstream Park in the shadow of the giant Pegasus law.
Ivar, the 7-year-old son of Gold Agnes , debuted in Florida for coach Paulo Lobo. He’s been on the Breeders’ Cup Mile three times in a row, finishing fourth, third and fourth. The pinnacle of his career was winning the Turf Mile Stakes (G1) at Keeneland in 2020.
After being liked, the morning betting odds spread with city man , Lady Speightspeare , Craftiness and Scout all posted in single digits.
Colonel Liam, who topped the Pegasus Turf invite list, was withdrawn after finishing in a lackluster sixth place in Fort Lauderdale (G2) December 31 in the Gulfstream. It was his first race in 281 days and his relationships judged that Todd Pletcher’s charge was sufficient.
Jacob West, race manager for Lawana and Robert Low owners, said: “He’s given us so much and if he doesn’t have a top-notch campaign (the race) means nothing. ” .”
Colonel Liam’s consecutive Pegasus Turf scores are among three Class 1 wins and seven overall wins in 12 starts.
City man and Decorated Invaders who finished first and second at Fort Lauderdale for coach Christophe Clement, let’s move from that heat to the big race.
City Man owner Dean Reeves said: “Joel’s (Rosario) trip has been fantastic in helping him prepare so well and giving him a chance” in Fort Lauderdale. win in Rank 2, that’s also important. It was just a big, huge effort. I think that shows us that we can get him running for the rest of this year in some other Tier 1 and 2 races.”
Reeves said he was “really looking forward” to the opportunity for his New York-based son Mucho Macho Man.
“This is a tough group of horses in there, but I think we’re up to the challenge,” he added. “I’d love to give him a 1. That’s really, really great.”
Expiate , placed fourth in the Pegasus 2022, coming in with a double-digit margin. He burned the track in the morning but coach Mike Maker said he understood the odds were long in the morning because 6-year-old Into Mischief gelding had yet to win the bet race.
“He’s in top form,” Maker said. “He’s always been a straight, well-worked, galloping horse. He’s a slightly unlucky horse. He’s a lot more mature this year than last year.”
Although the favorites, after Ivar, all have American pedigree, the international flavor of the race is undeniable.
storm dream , starting the first game in the United States for Team Valor International, and Frankie Dettori will participate. 6 year old cat storm gelding is a consistent European group stake performer without winning at that level.
Good governance and Masterpiece are other hybrid foreign candidates.
Good administration, a 7 year old kid King whole, was the first Pegasus starter for Kentucky-based coach Anna Meah. He finished fourth in the Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G2) and has yet to win a graded stake.
Master Piece, a 7 year old child by Master Artisanwon Eddie Read Stakes (G2) at Del Mar in July and was last seen finishing eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland. The quiz is a Group 2 winner in his native Chile.
The manufacturer also has king cause is the first option in the AE list.
