Pegasus World Cup Invitational Betting Odds

Gun Runner won the 2017 Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park. (Photo credit: Gulfstream Park).

Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) champion Accelerate is now the solid favorite for the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park in the latest betting odds released by Bovada.

The John Sadler trainee is now down to +225 in Pegasus World Cup betting odds at Bovada after his one length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The five-year-old has now won six of his seven starts in 2018, the lone loss coming in a neck loss to City of Light in the Oaklawn Handicap in April. City of Light won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) on Saturday.

Accelerate has five Grade 1 wins this year and has closed the gap on Triple Crown winner Justify in Horse of the Year chatter.

Among the foes that may show up at Gulfstream Park in January are City of Light, who is fifth choice in early Pegasus World Cup wagering at +800 as well as Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Monomoy Girl.

The filly won the Distaff by a length for her sixth win in seven starts this year. Her lone loss came in the Cotillion (G1) where she crossed the wire a neck in front of Midnight Bisou but was disqualified for interference and placed second.

She has five Grade 1 wins this year, losing the other by a DQ. She could garner a few votes for Horse of the Year honors. She is the current co-third choice in early Pegasus World Cup betting at Bovada at +600.

Mendelssohn Second Choice in Pegasus Betting

The Aiden O’Brien trained Mendelssohn is the second choice in early Pegasus betting at +550. The colt set the early fractions in the classic before weakening to finish fifth.

Audible, who won the Cherokee Run on the Breeders’ Cup undercard on Saturday has been bet down to +600. The Todd Pletcher trainee was making his first start since running third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) back in May, beaten 2 ½ lengths by Justify.

Others exiting the Classic that may land in the Pegasus include runner up Gunnevera (+900) and fourth place finisher Yoshida (+1200).

Catholic Boy came out of the Classic with a gash on his ankle and his connections have said he will race in 2019 but won’t make it to the Pegasus.

The Clark Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 23 could be a key prep for the Pegasus.