HALLANDALE BEACH, FL — Much has been made of the fact on both sides of the Pegasus purse reduction. The overarching concern was the effect it would have on field quality.
Of course, this is not entirely knowable since in previous years there was no competition from the newly created Blood Money Invitational. People have sold out for far less than $20 million.
The last time a big race was run in America was on November 2, 2019. The Breeders’ Cup Classic drew 11 horses, one the mare Elate. All but one were Grade 1 winners and four of those were restricted by either sex or age.
With the Saudi and Dubai Cups looming, as well as the 2020 mating season, the Pegasus World Cup Invitation in the last–or first–big dance of the season.
Surely, $3 million, even in the Age of the Deficit, remains considerably more than chump change.
The 2020 Pegasus has drawn a full field of 12:
1–TRUE TIMBER 20-1 K McLaughlin J Bravo
2–TAX 12-1 D Gargan J Ortiz
3–DIAMOND OOPS 20-1 P Biancone J Leparoux
4–SEEKING THE SOUL 30-1 D Stewart J Velazquez
5–OMAHA BEACH 7-5 R Mandella M Smith
6–HIGHER POWER 6-1 J Sadler F Prat
7–WAR STORY 30-1 E Dobles J Rosario
8–MR. FREEZE 30-1 D Romans L Saez
9–SPUN TO RUN 7-2 J C Guerrero J Castellano
10–MUCHO GUSTO 9-2 B Baffert I Ortiz Jr.
11–TENFOLD 30-1 S Asmussen T Gaffalione
12–BODEXPRESS 30-1 G Delgado E Jaramillo
Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational posts and odds posted in HRI NEWS section
11 Responses
Steve Asmussen was speaking on today’s HRN radio show from Big A (Gun Runner Week). When asked about Pegasus he said TENFOLD was sitting on a big race. Will use under Omaha Beach and hope for the best. Also said Gun Runner was perfect which is hard to argue with. What a horse! Said baby GR’s have arrived and look good.
All good stuff, C, thanks for sharing…
Wind out from under the wings of Pegasus with the scratch of Omaha Beach.
Sad, considering the state of the sport.
Reinforces my belief that today’s thoroughbred ain’t what he used to be.
Eclipse Awards on TVG concluded with Bricks and Mortar in Japan. Owner gave speech about state of the game, in his opinion. No offense, but I’ll listen to Pricci and Jicha before I listen to YOU! This is what happens (think Oscars) when some people receive awards (for something his horse did) and then, if that wasn’t enough, get on their soapbox and preach their truth. Other than that, a pretty good watch for me. Hey, the three hosts, talk about eye candy, were worth it alone. Sexists? I guess but so what. They wheeled them out for that reason, ha, ha.
I was wrong. Re-watched acceptance speech and realized owner was addressing concerns for welfare of the sport. My bad.
Truly unfortunate Den, don’t even have words for this. First the second choice, then the favorite.
Excellent that the enhanced protolcols helped discover the beginning of an issue before it became something far more insidious.
There has to be something gone wrong with Thooughbred breed itself.
Inbreeding a likely contributor, as is the drugging.
Perhaps training methods.
Choice to breed for speed and early development.
Corrective cosmetic surgeries.
Breeze sales.
Etc.
Den, we’ve written about all those things extensively here. The industry knows what the issues are. It’s time for action now and progress is being made. Need to see how it goes and keep pressure on to stay the course. We’ll do our share…
C, probably was the best Eclipse Awards show I’ve seen. The ladies were great, per usual, and are lovely indeed. I need to go back and re-watch the Bricks and Mortar segment. But the show moved right along, thought production values best ever…
Enjoyed watching as well. Seeing Bricks and Mortar being walked in Japan felt bittersweet, like we’d lost him to another continent. Was glad to hear that Empire Maker was re-purchased and brought back here for his remaining days. The Runhappy name is everywhere and why not. I watched a replay of a race he dominated from the 11 post at Spa. At eleven to one odds. Talk about an overlay!
Besides watching it on the screen this race does not grab me….Usual ” Nonno ‘s Bet ” while awaiting for Seeking the Soul to catch Higher Power whose roots reminds me of my Grandpa`s favorite brand of espresso,Medaglia D`Oro. Hey,if Vino Rosso did it why not him ,too ? Total $ 20 bet,maybe a better ‘contribution’ than tonight`s big Powerball raffle gimmick whose odds are too many to mention [ 300 plus million to one ]. ” May the horse be with you” !