2021 Results

The fifth running of the Pegasus World Cup continues to be at the forefront of innovating the sport of Thoroughbred racing – once again requiring equine athletes in both races to compete free of any medications on race day, while this year providing the winner of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational an automatic entry into the 2021 $20 million Saudi Cup. The Invitational Series features an impressive lineup of contenders in both the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) and the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) races.

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Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1)

2021 CHAMPION

Knicks Go

4

Knicks Go

4

Owner

Korea Racing Authority

Trainer

Brad Cox

Jockey

Joel Rosario

ML

5-2

Skinny

Comes into the Pegasus off a victory Nov. 7 in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Mile. Is undefeated in three starts since being transferred to leading-trainer Cox after 10 consecutive losses. Owned by Korea Racing Authority (KRA), the sole horse racing organization in Korea, Knicks Go was purchased as a yearling by KRA for $87,000. The 5-year-old has earned $1.348 million.

Jesus’ Team

5

Jesus’ Team

5

Owner

Grupo 7C Racing Stable

Trainer

Jose D’Angelo

Jockey

Irad Ortiz Jr.

ML

8-1

Skinny

So anyone could have owned this horse for $25,000 in May. He’s since won more than $400,000, placed third in the Preakness and second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Prepped for the Pegasus Dec. 5 with hard-earned win in Claiming Crown Jewel. . This guy just seems to keep grinding. The 30-year-old D’Angelo is a native of Caracus and a second generation horseman.

Horse named Independance Hall and a Jockey

Independence Hall

3

Independence Hall

3

Owner

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC, Kathleen & Robert Verratti

Trainer

Michael McCarthy

Jockey

Flavien Prat

ML

20-1

Skinny

Was considered a Kentucky Derby contender last year after winning the Grade 3 Nashua in 2019 and finishing second in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis in February. Never made it to Kentucky. Switched from the east coast to the left coast and comes into the race off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Malibu. Trainer McCarthy won the Pegasus in 2019 with City of Light.

Sleepy Eyes Todd

1

Sleepy Eyes Todd

1

Owner

Thumbs Up Racing, LLC

Trainer

Miguel Angel Silva

Jockey

Jose Ortiz

ML

8-1

Skinny

Theme song for Sleepy Eyes Todd is “I’ve Been Everywhere.” The 5-year-old has run at 11 different tracks, from California to Minnesota to Nebraska to Florida, and has had nine different riders in his last nine starts. Has won eight of 15 races and comes into the Pegasus off a victory in the Mr. Prospector (G3) at Gulfstream.  

Code of Honor

10

Code of Honor

10

Owner

W.S. Farish

Trainer

Shug McGaughey

Jockey

Tyler Gaffalione

ML

9-2

Skinny

This 5-year-old has raced in 12 – count ‘em, 12 – consecutive graded stakes, 10 of them being Grade 1 or 2. Won the Fountain of Youth over this track in 2019. Hall of Fame trainer saddled Code of Honor to second-place finish behind recently-retired Bodexpress in Nov. 27 Clark Handicap. Should be running late.

Coastal Defense

2

Coastal Defense

2

Owner

Albaugh Family Stables LLC, Helen Groves Revocable Trust

Trainer

Dale Romans

Jockey

Corey Lanerie

ML

15-1

Skinny

Trainer Romans finished second in last year’s Pegasus with Mr Freeze. Comes into the races off fourth-place finishes in the Grade 2 Fayette and Grade 1 Clark. Romans has a long list of graded stakes winners, including a Preakness winner and three Breeders’ Cup winners. He received the 2012 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer.

Kiss Today Goodbye

6

Kiss Today Goodbye

6

Owner

John Sondereker

Trainer

J. Eric Kruljac

Jockey

Mike Smith

ML

10-1

Skinny

Comes into the Pegsus off a two-race winning streak. A winner of three races in his career, he won an allowance optional claimer at Del Mar in November before pulling off a stunner by winning the Grade 2 San Antonio at Santa Anita over a field including last year’s Pegasus winner Mucho Gusto. Dad was considered a top Kentucky Derby contender in 2014 after winning Gulfstream’s Grade 2 Holy Bull. Mom was graded stakes placed in Canada.

Last Judgement

9

Last Judgement

9

Owner

Michael Dubb, Steve Hornstock, Bethlehem Stables LLC, Nice Guy Stables

Trainer

Mike Maker

Jockey

Paco Lopez

ML

20-1

Skinny

A versatile, former claimer who has won six of 14 starts with no seconds and one third. Won the Sunshine Classic at Gulfstream on Jan. 16 when he led gate-to-wire. Trainer won last year’s Pegasus Turf with Zulu Alpha. The 5-year-old seems to be getting older with age. Sold originally for $300,000 as a 2-year-old. Dad was a graded winner.

$Horse Math Wizard with Jockey$

Math Wizard

12

$Horse Math Wizard with Jockey$

Math Wizard

12

Owner

John Fanelli, Khalid Mishref, Cash is King

Trainer

Saffie Joseph Jr.

Jockey

Edgard Zayas

ML

20-1

Skinny

Barbados native Joseph has become one of the country’s top young trainers and Math Wizard provided him with his first Grade 1 victory when winning 2019 Pennsylvania Derby. Unfortunately, Math Wizard has since gone seven races without winning. He has kept top company, however, and could be peaking in this his second start off a six-month layoff.

Tax

7

Tax

7

Owner

R.A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch

Trainer

Danny Gargan

Jockey

Luis Saez

ML

5-1

Skinny

Returned from a seven-month layoff to win the Harlan’s Holiday Dec. 12 at Gulfstream and punch his ticket to the Pegasus. Was ninth in last year’s Pegasus World Cup after stumbling at the start of the race. Won the Jim Dandy at Saratoga in 2019 and was fourth in that year’s Belmont Stakes.

Mr Freeze

11

Mr Freeze

11

Owner

Jim Bakke & Gerald Isbister

Trainer

Dale Romans

Jockey

John Velazquez

ML

15-1

Skinny

Last year’s Pegasus runner-up, Mr Freeze went on to win two Grade 2 events, including the Gulfstream Park Mile. Ended the year with a sixth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and fifth in the Clark. He’s run in 11 consecutive graded stakes, 10 of them Grade 1 or 2.

Harpers First Ride

8

Harpers First Ride

8

Owner

MCA Racing Stable LLC

Trainer

Claudio Gonzalez

Jockey

Angel Cruz

ML

10-1

Skinny

Claimed for $30,000 from his third start, Harpers First Ride has won 10 of 17 starts and more than $500,000. Has won four of his last five starts, including the Grade 3 Pimlico Special. Gonzalez is the leading trainer in Maryland. This is a big step in class for the 5-year-old.

Pegasus World Cup Invitational Turf (G1)

2021 CHAMPION

Colonel Liam

5

Colonel Liam

5

Owner

Robert & Lawana Low

Trainer

Todd Pletcher

Jockey

Irad Ortiz Jr.

ML

7-2

Skinny

Became the hot horse after an impressive 3 ¼ length win in Tropical Park Derby in just his fifth career start. Pletcher, who saddles three in the race, began lobbying for an invitation for this race after that victory. He’s won three of four on the turf but he’s stepping up into Grade 1 company. Might be this good.

Largent

6

Largent

6

Owner

Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners

Trainer

Todd Pletcher

Jockey

Paco Lopez

ML

9-2

Skinny

Punched his ticket to the Pegasus with an upset victory in the Fort Lauderdale Dec. 12 at Gulfstream. Late-running 5-year-old gelding is named after Seattle Seahawks Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent.

Cross Border

9

Cross Border

9

Owner

Three Diamonds Farm

Trainer

Mike Maker

Jockey

Tyler Gaffalione

ML

15-1

Skinny

Trainer won the Pegasus Turf last year with Zulu Alpha, who paid $25.60. This 7-year-old won last year’s Bowling Green and was second in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga. Dad was the champion grass horse in 2007, mom never raced.

Social Paranoia

12

Social Paranoia

12

Owner

The Elkstone Group, LLC

Trainer

Todd Pletcher

Jockey

Luis Saez

ML

8-1

Skinny

Comes into the race on a two-race winning streak, including the Grade 3 Poker at Belmont Park. He’s another very consistent horse, having finished first, second or third in 14 of 16 starts. Will be coming from off the pace.

Pixelate

10

Pixelate

10

Owner

Godolphin, LLC

Trainer

Michael Stidham

Jockey

Edgard Zayas

ML

15-1

Skinny

So, so consistent. He’s run 14 times with a record of 4-5-3. Won the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby last year and ended his 3-year-old year with a victory Dec. 26 in the Woodchopper at Fair Grounds. Dad has thrown a lot of good turf runners and mom, also bred and owned by Godolphin, was a winner in the UK.

Next Shares

1

Next Shares

1

Owner

Baltas, Ivarone, McClanahan, Peskoff, Robershaw, Mark

Trainer

Richard Baltas

Jockey

Drayden Van Dyke

ML

20-1

Skinny

Will the third time be the charm for Next Shares? He finished seventh in the inaugural Pegasus Turf in 2019 and 12th last year. Since then, this game 8-year-old finished second in the Shoemaker Mile and third in November in the Seabiscuit (G2). He’s earned more than $1.8 million and a multiple graded winner.

Storm The Court

3

Storm The Court

3

Owner

Exline-Border Racing, LLC, David Bernsen, LLC., Susanna Wilson, Dan Hudock

Trainer

Peter Eurton

Jockey

Julien Leparoux

ML

12-1

Skinny

Dad won the Breeders’ Cup Mile and the Gulfstream Turf Handicap, which has morphed into the Pegasus. Storm the Court won the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He finished sixth in last year’s Kentucky Derby and comes into the race off a second-place finish Dec. 26 in the Mathis Brothers Mile at Santa Anita.

Aquaphobia

7

Aquaphobia

7

Owner

Hooties Racing LLC & Skychai Racing, LLC

Trainer

Mike Maker

Jockey

Joe Bravo

ML

20-1

Skinny

Trainer won the Pegasus Turf last year with a former claimer in Zulu Alpha. He will try to repeat that act with Aquaphobia, a horse claimed for $62,500 at Gulfstream almost a year to the day of this year’s Pegasus. Aquaphobia won the Grade 1 United Nations over the summer. Comes into this one off a sixth-place finish in Grade 3 Red Smith.

Breaking The Rules

2

Breaking The Rules

2

Owner

Phipps Stable

Trainer

Shug McGaughey

Jockey

John Velazquez

ML

10-1

Skinny

One of two horses in the race trainer by Hall of Famer McGaughey. Is by a leading turf sire and a graded stakes-placed mare. Was third behind Largent in Fort Lauderdale Dec. 12. McGaughey told the Daily Racing Form last year he has “always thought he was a horse with a lot of ability.” This would be a good time to show it.

North Dakota

4

North Dakota

4

Owner

Allen Stable, Inc.

Trainer

Shug McGaughey

Jockey

Jose Ortiz

ML

10-1

Skinny

It took seven tries before North Dakota won his first race, but he’s since won three of five starts with his last being the Red Smith Nov. 21 at Aqueduct. He’ll be running late for Hall of Famer McGaughey. Mom was a stakes winner and multiple graded-stakes placed on the turf. Pop was runner-up in the 2002 and 2003 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Say The Word

11

Say The Word

11

Owner

Agave Racing Stable and Sam-Son Farm

Trainer

Philip D’Amato

Jockey

Flavien Prat

ML

6-1

Skinny

Won the Grade 1 Northern Dancer at Woodbine in October and followed that performance up with a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup. Co-owner Sam-Son bred the mom, who was unraced. Dad was a Grade 1 winner and has been a prolific sire of turf runners.

Anothertwistafate

8

Anothertwistafate

8

Owner

Peter Redekop B. C., Ltd.

Trainer

Peter Miller

Jockey

Joel Rosario

ML

5-1

Skinny

Bob Dylan acolytes, here you go. Named after the song “Simple Twist of Fate.” Ran a big race winning the Grade 2 San Gabriel at Santa Anita Jan. 2 after a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit at Del Mar in November. He’s won half of his 10 starts. Dad won the Florida Derby back in ’07. Mom didn’t win in four starts but her mom was a graded winner on turf.