January 26, 2019 Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida

Contenders

Dirt Contenders

#1

Owner

Calumet Farm

Horse

Bravazo

Trainer

D. Wayne Lukas

JOCKEY

Luis Saez

Pedigree

Awesome Again-Tiz O’ Gold, by Cee’s Tizzy

Legendary Calumet Farm dates back to 1924. Hall of Fame member Lukas has won 14 Triple Crown races and is regarded as one of racing’s most innovative trainers. And then there’s Bravazo, who placed second in the Preakness (G1), Haskell (G1) and Clark (G1) and third in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1). The only thing missing from his resume is a Grade 1 win. Another with a versatile running style. Sire won the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

#2

Owner

Stronach Stables

Horse

Something Awesome

Trainer

Jose Corrales

JOCKEY

Edgar Prado

Pedigree

Awesome Again-Somethinaboutlaura, by Dance Floor

This 8-year-old is one cool horse. He ran for a claiming tag back in 2016 but he’s now won more than $1 million with wins in the Charles Town Classic (G2) and General George (G3). He likes to run late, so Hall of Fame jockey Prado will bide his time and then wait for this guy to kick in. Mom was a multiple Grade 2 winner and dad won a Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

#3

Owner

Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren Jr.

Horse

City Of Light

Trainer

Michael McCarthy

JOCKEY

Javier Castellano

Pedigree

Quality Road-Paris Notion, by Dehere

This is the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner and he’s finished first or second in nine of his 10 career starts for trainer McCarthy, a former assistant to Todd Pletcher. City of Light’s Sire is Quality Road, a winner of Gulfstream’s Florida Derby (G1) in 2009 and Donn (G1) in 2010. He’s won at four different tracks at four different distances. Don’t be surprised to see him on the lead when they leave the gate. Named after the City of Paris.

#4

Owner

Charles Fipke

Horse

Seeking the Soul

Trainer

Dallas Stewart

JOCKEY

John Velazquez

Pedigree

Perfect Soul-Seeking the Title, by Seeking the Gold

You may remember Seeking the Soul from last year when he checked in fifth in the Pegasus. Been training in New Orleans after finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) behind City of Light. Trainer Stewart is a former assistant to Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas. Won the Clark (G1) in 2017. Gets a Hall of Famer in the saddle in Velazquez. Owner Fipke bred Seeking the Soul as well as the Sire and Dam, and both of them were graded-stakes winners.

#5

Owner

Hronis Racing LLC

Horse

Accelerate

Trainer

John Sadler

JOCKEY

Joel Rosario

Pedigree

Looking At Lucky-Issues, by Awesome Again

Let’s see….Horse of the Year finalist, won six of seven races in 2018, and won his last four starts – all in Grade 1 races by a total of 20 lengths. This will be the last race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner before retiring to stud, and the California-based 6-year-old is looking to go out a winner.

#6

Owner

G M B Racing

Horse

Tom’s d’Etat

Trainer

Albert Stall Jr.

JOCKEY

Shaun Bridgmohan

Pedigree

Smart Strike-Julia Tuttle, by Giant’s Causeway

If you like everything about the Big Easy, this horse is for you. He’s owned by the stable of Gayle Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans, and trainer Stall is a native of New Orleans. Tom’s d’Etat has won six of nine starts, but his last victory in the Tenacious Stakes in December was his first stakes win. Likes to run on or close to the pace. Who dat say dey gonna beat Tom’s d’Etat?

#7

Owner

Calumet Farm

Horse

True Timber

Trainer

Kiaran McLaughlin

JOCKEY

Joe Bravo

Pedigree

Mineshaft-Queen’s Wood, by Tiznow

The Owner Calumet also has a runner in the Pegasus Turf. True Timber finished second in the Cigar Mile (G1) behind Pegasus candidate Patternrecognition after a wide trip. Likes to run close to the leaders. He’s never won a stakes races, but Sire Mineshaft was Horse of the Year. Popular trainer McLaughlin has won with 21 percent of his starters in his career and 49 percent have finished first, second or third.

#8

Owner

Salomon Del Valle (Margoth Stable)

Horse

Gunnevera

Trainer

Antonio Sano

JOCKEY

Irad Ortiz Jr.

Pedigree

Dialed In – Unbridled Rage, by Unbridled

He’s the hometown hero, trained by the popular Venezuelan Sano, kidnapped twice for ransom before leaving for the U.S. with his family. Finished second to Accelerate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and was third in last year’s Pegasus (G1). It may take him a while to warm up, but he’s always flying at the finish. Sire won the 2011 Florida Derby (G1) and Grandsire won the 1990 Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby (G1) and 1991 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

#9

Owner

Cuadra San Jorge (German Larrea)

Horse

Kukulkan (MEX)

Trainer

Fausto Gutierrez

JOCKEY

Frankie Dettori

Pedigree

Point Determined-The Real Mayo, by Bernardini

Undefeated! Mexico’s Triple Crown winner has won 14 – count ‘em – 14 consecutive races, including the $300,000 Clasico del Caribe right here at Gulfstream in December. No question he’s stepping up in company, but Gutierrez is a leading trainer in Mexico and Kukulkan gets the services of international champion jockey Frankie Dettori. And no one does a flying dismount better than Frankie. Sire was bred in Maryland and raced in the 2006 Kentucky Derby (G1).

#10

Owner

China Horse Club Ltd, Head of Plains Partners LLC, Starlight Racing, WinStar Farm LLC

Horse

Audible

Trainer

Todd Pletcher

JOCKEY

Flavien Prat

Pedigree

Into Mischief-Blue Devil Bel, by Gilded Time

He won the $1 million Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1) over Gulfstream’s main track last year before finishing third in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Was the beaten favorite last time out at Gulfstream over a sloppy track, but trainer Pletcher has won the Gulfstream training title an unprecedented 15 consecutive years and jockey Castellano is a Hall of Famer. Pretty versatile as far as where he can be placed during race.

#11

Owner

Ron Paolucci Racing LLC

Horse

Imperative

Trainer

Anthony T. Quartarolo

JOCKEY

Tyler Gaffalione

Pedigree

Bernardini-Call Her, by Caller I.D.

Consider when Imperative raced for the first time, Life of Pi and The Perks of Being a Wallflower were being released in movie theaters. Consider Harry Styles was still part of One Direction and Gangnam Style was taking over the world. That’s right, Imperative is 9, and the lightly raced gelding is still competing in Grade 1 events. He’s made $2.9 million. Owner Paolucci loves the game and loves to compete. Gaffalione grew up in South Florida and is one of the country’s top young riders.

#12

Owner

Klaravich Stable Inc. and William H. Lawrence

Horse

Patternrecognition

Trainer

Chad Brown

JOCKEY

Jose Ortiz

Pedigree

Adios Charlie-Almost a Valentine, by High Cotton

These are the same connections who won the 2017 Preakness (G1) with Cloud Computing. Brown is a two-time outstanding trainer. Think of this 6-year-old as that talented rookie who always had tons of ability but never put it all together until later in his career. Won his first (and second) stakes race late last year in New York in the Cigar Mile (G1) and Kelso (G2). One talented dude who sold for $420,000 as a 2-year-old. Sire makes his home in Ocala where he was a top five Florida sire in 2017.

Turf Contenders

#1

Owner

Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, & M.J. Jooste

Horse

Magic Wand (IRE)

Trainer

Aidan O’Brien

JOCKEY

Ryan Moore

PEDIGREE

Galileo (IRE)-Prudenzia (IRE), by Dansili (GB)

Spent her career competing in the best turf races in Ireland and England before crossing the Atlantic for the first time to finish fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). This filly fetched $1.5 million at auction as a yearling. Sire was a multiple Grade 1 winner overseas. Gets the services of international champion jockey Frankie Dettori.

#2

Owner

WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd, SF Racing LLC, Head of Plains Partners, LLC

Horse

Yoshida

Trainer

Bill Mott

JOCKEY

Jose Ortiz

Pedigree

Heart’s Cry (Jpn)-Hilda’s Passion, by Canadian Frontier

One of top horses of 2018 as well as the most versatile, winning Grade 1 races on both turf and dirt. Group of owners were also part of Team Justify last year. Mott is a Hall of Famer who’s been named the country’s outstanding trainer three times. Yoshida has won coming from the clouds and just off the pace. Dam was a track record holder at Gulfstream. Will be one of the favorites if not the favorite for this richest turf race in North America.

#3

Owner

Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R.A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing

Horse

Channel Maker (ON)

Trainer

Bill Mott

JOCKEY

Jose Ortiz

Pedigree

English Channel-In Return, by Horse Chestnut (SAF)

Trainer Mott is in the Hall of Fame. Dad English Channel was a champion on turf and mom won on the turf. Channel Maker won the Joe Hirsch (G1) and Bowling Green (G2) on turf last year. Jockey Ortiz is one of the best in North America and was named the country’s top jockey in 2017. Class anywhere you look. Horse Chestnut was a champ in South Africa who won Gulfstream’s Broward Handicap (G3).

#4

Owner

Sunday Racing Co., Ltd.

Horse

Aerolithe (JPN)

Trainer

Takanori Kikuzawa

JOCKEY

TBA

Pedigree

Kurofune-Asterix (JPN), by Neo Universe (JPN)

This Grade 1-winning filly ships in for Japan’s top connections for the Pegasus Turf. She’s finished first or second in nine of 13 career starts. The 5-year-old daughter of Kurofune, a son of Grade 2 winner French Deputy, is a top turf runner and trained by former jockey Kikuzawa.

#5

Owner

Michael Iavarone, Jules McClanahan,et al.

Horse

Next Shares

Trainer

Richard Baltas

JOCKEY

TBA

Pedigree

Archarcharch-Two Dot Slew, by Evansville Slew

Comes into the Pegasus off a big victory at Santa Anita in the San Gabriel (G2) Jan. 5 after a dull effort over a ‘good’ turf course in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). Won the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf (G1) at Keeneland in the fall. Likes to run off the leaders. Sire is now standing in South Korea. Horses trained by Baltas earned $5.5 million last year. Owner Iavarone was part of ownership group that had 2008 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) winner Big Brown.

#6

Owner

Bram Jam Stable, David W. Clark

Horse

Fahan Mura

Trainer

Vladimir Cerin

JOCKEY

Edwin Maldonado

Pedigree

English Channel-Celtic Cross, by Giant’s Causeway

Here’s one that has gotten better with age. Was running for a $50,000 claiming tag when he won his first race in January of 2017 at Gulfstream and could have been claimed for $32,000 last winter in New York. But the speedy 5-year-old enters the Pegasus off a victory in the Robert Frankel (G3) at Santa Anita in December. Sire was a turf specialist who won the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and Dam won on the turf, too. Trainer Cerin, based in California, has won more than 1,000 races. This one will be on the lead or close to it

#7

Owner

Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence

Horse

Bricks and Mortar

Trainer

Chad Brown

JOCKEY

TBA

Pedigree

Giants Causeway-Beyond The Waves, by Ocean

From the same people running Patternrecognition in the Pegasus World Cup on the dirt. Sold for $200,000 as a yearling. Won the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) at Saratoga in 2017. Came back after a 14-month layoff to win at Gulfstream in December. Brown is a top trainer. Dad was a multiple Grade 1 winner in the U.K. on the turf and finished second in the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1); mom won on the turf at Keeneland.

#8

OWNER

Stronach Stables

HORSE

Delta Prince

TRAINER

James Jerkens

JOCKEY

Frankie Dettori

PEDIGREE

Street Cry (IRE) – Delta Princess, by A.P. Indy

This 6-year-old has run only 11 times, but he’s been first, second or third in 10 of those races. Sire was a Grade 1 winner. Dam won 11 times and was later purchased for $2.6 million. Oh, and her dad? He was 1992 Horse of the Year and Hall of Fame member A.P. Indy. Owner Stronach Stable is an outstanding owner and breeder and trainer Jerkens is a leading trainer in New York and Florida, has won multiple Grade 1 races, and is the son of late Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens. Did you get all that? Dettori is an international champion.

#9

Owner

Woodford Racing, LLC

Horse

Catapult

Trainer

John Sadler

JOCKEY

Drayden Van Dyke

Pedigree

Kitten’s Joy-Gata Bella, by Storm Cat

Trainer Sadler will saddle favorite Accelerate in the Pegasus World Cup (G1). This 6-year-old won the Del Mar Mile (G2) before finishing a very game second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). Sold for $350,000 as a yearling. By leading sire Kitten’a Joy. Jockey Van Dyke, born in Louisville, Ky., has become a leading rider in California, and was leading rider at Del Mar’s past summer meet.

#10

Owner

Ron Paolucci Racing

Horse

Dubby Dubbie

Trainer

Robert Hess Jr.

JOCKEY

TBA

Pedigree

Ice Box-I’m Cozy, by Grand Slam

Won a race at Churchill Downs last time out in November and then was purchased by Paolucci. Finished third in American Derby (G3) at Arlington is July. He’s a 4-year-old whose dad was trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito and won the 2010 Florida Derby (G1). Mom was a Maryland bred who won a couple races.

The Pegasus World Cup Invitational, first run in January 2017, is the vision of The Stronach Group founder, Frank Stronach.

The 2019 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Championship Series will offer a $16 million purse split between two Grade 1 stakes races.

The Pegasus World Cup Invitational is contested at 1 ⅛ mile on the dirt and will offer at $9 million purse with $4 million awarded to the winner.

The Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational is run at 1 3/16 miles on the turf and will offer a $7 million purse with $3 million awarded to the winner.

The Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational will replace the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap.

The cost to secure an entry spot for both the Pegasus World Cup and the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational are $500,000 per race.

A $1 million bonus will be awarded to any horse owner who takes first place in both the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational.

Past winners include Arrogate, the 2016 Eclipse Award Winning Champion Three Year Old Male and the top earning Thoroughbred of all time, and 2017 Horse of the Year, Gun Runner.

The Pegasus World Cup Championship Rings, are awarded to the winning owner, trainer and jockey for both the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational and are valued at over $50,000 a piece!

The Pegasus LIV Boardwalk returns for a second year in partnership with Miami’s own Dave Grutman and the world-famous LIV Nightclub. It is the ultimate race day party featuring top-tier entertainment, unique food and beverage concessions and one of the best views of the race!

In 2019, The Stronach Group introduced the Pegasus Pick 24, a new race day wager that provides fans with the opportunity to bet on the exact finish order for both the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational and the chance at a $5 million bonus!

The Pegasus World Cup Invitational Championship Series will be broadcast live on NBC, Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 4:30 – 6:00pm EST.

Wager at Xpressbet.com, the official wagering platform of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Championship Series.

Frank Stronach and Belinda Stronach at Pegasus 2017

News

January 30, 2019
BELLA THORNE, SNOOP DOGG, MARK RONSON, EVANDER HOLYFIELD AND DENNIS RODMAN WITNESS HISTORY AT THE 2019 PEGASUS WORLD CUP CHAMPIONSHIP INVITATIONAL SERIES
Download PDF
November 08, 2018
NBC TO BROADCAST THE $16 MILLION PEGASUS WORLD CUP INVITATIONAL IN JANUARY 2019
Download PDF
October 11, 2018
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR 2019 PEGASUS WORLD CUP CHAMPIONSHIP INVITATIONAL SERIES
Download PDF
September 18, 2018
THE $16 MILLION PEGASUS WORLD CUP INTRODUCES A GRADE 1 TURF RACE
Download PDF
April 12, 2018
BELINDA STRONACH AT SANTA ANITA TO PRESENT BAFFERT & SMITH WITH 2017 PEGASUS WORLD CUP INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS
Download PDF

Contenders

Dirt Contenders

Turf Contenders

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