The field for the $12 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) is now set. (Photo credit: Gulfstream Park).
With the Monday additions of Noble Bird and Prayer for Relief, the 12 starting spots for the first running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) are now full.
The race will be run on Saturday, January 28 at Gulfstream Park, with the connections of each starter having put up $1 million with a $7 million payday awaits the winner.
The two headliners are California Chrome and Arrogate, who are both co-favorites at USRacing.com in early wagering for the Pegasus World Cup at even money.
California Chrome won the Winter Challenge Series at Los Alamitos on Dec. 17 in his final tune-up, his seven win in eight starts in 2016.
Arrogate was the only horse to beat California Chrome this year, getting by him in the stretch in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
The Bob Baffert trainee has not started since, bypassing the San Pasqual (G2) at Santa Anta because of tack conditions and has been training up to the race.
In addition to the top pair the remainder of the field with a week to go before entries are drawn consist of Keen Ice, Neolithic, Shaman Ghost, Eragon, War Story, War Envoy, Breaking Lucky, Ralis, Prayer for Relief and Noble Bird.
Noble Bird took one of the final two available spots for the race. The Mark Casse trainee was seventh in the Clark Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs in his last outing.
He has won seven of his 20 career starts with earnings of $1,069,945. He won three times in 2016, taking the Pimlico Special (G3), Lukas Classic Stakes and the Fayette (G2).
Prayer for Relief has earned over $2 million in his career but has not win since taking the 2013 Tenacious Handicap at Fair Grounds. He has lost 20 races in a row but did run in the money in seven times.
The Pegasus World Cup card features seven supporting stakes races including the $400,000 Poseidon Stakes, $100,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3), $200,000 La Prevoyante Handicap (G3) and the $200,000 W.L. McKnight Handicap (G3).
Betting Odds for the Pegasus World Cup via USRacing.com:
Arrogate 1-1
Breaking Lucky TBA
California Chrome 1-1
Eragon 40-1
Ralis TBA
Keen Ice 20-1
Neolithic 16-1
Noble Bird TBA
Prayer for Relief TBA
Shaman Ghost 20-1
War Envoy TBA
War Story 50-1
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