The 2021 Pegasus World Cup is the fifth running of the race since it was inaugurated in 2017. Pegasus World Cup was also named as the richest horse race in 2018, with a total purse of $16 million. It was then reduced to $9 million in 2019 for the dirt race and $7 million for the separate turf race.
Fans and bettors alike look forward to this racing event. In fact, Pegasus Cup betting at www.tvg.com is one of the most popular betting events in the horse racing industry. With world-renowned horses joining the event, promising a good show and high profits, it’s no wonder why bettors flock to bet on this race.
Before the next running begins, let us revisit some highlights of the past four Pegasus World Cup races. Even though it is a relatively new horse racing event, it already had many buzz-worthy happenings. Let us start from the beginning and walk our way to the latest event.
The Highlights
Here are the highlights of the Pegasus World Cup that every fan and bettor must know about:
2017
Arrogate’s victory came as no surprise. He already showed the world what he could do when he beat California Chrome in the Breeder’s Cup Classic. If it was a gleeful event for Arrogate’s camp and fans, it was also a very disappointing one for Chrome’s supporters.
Arrogate continued to shine as he ran the four ¾ length race track in Gulfstream Park. The first-ever Pegasus race was the last race Chrome ran before he retired, but unfortunately, he fell short in the race due to a balky knee. The Horse of The Year award also became a hot topic when the 2016 awardee was defeated in both Breeder’s Cup and the Pegasus Cup race.
2018
In the 2018 running of the Pegasus World Cup, trainer Steve Asmussen’s Gun Runner dominated the one ⅛ mile track even when he was positioned on the number 10 post. Many speculated that his post position would give him trouble, but he proved them wrong.
With the post position he was placed in, he again proved that no matter what post you are in, you can conquer the race if you are good enough. That is the true characteristic of a champion.
Gun Runner was seen to be a dominant racer on the race track even at the start. He was settled behind the front-runner Collected during the first turn before sprinting when he approached the second turn of the Gulfstream track, where he comfortably settled in first place until the finish line.
2019
Aside from the race that happened on the Pegasus World Cup during its 2019 running, it was also the launch of their newly renovated flamingo VIP room, where watching the race would be a lot more comfortable and luxurious.
For the race’s highlights, the 2019 race favored City of Light, a racehorse trained by Michael McCarthy and jockeyed by Javier Castellano. He won $4 million out of the $9 million total purse prize. Seeking the Soul, who won second, received a $1.25 million purse. Meanwhile, the third placer Accelerate won $900,000.
Aside from the exciting new VIP area and the much-awaited race, the 2019 Pegasus Cup event was also the inauguration of the Pegasus World Cup Turk Stakes, formerly known as the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap.
2020
Horse trainer Bob Baffert aimed for his second win after he entered Mucho Gusto into the race’s 2020 running. Being positioned on the 10th gate was not a hindrance for Mucho Gusto to achieve Baffert’s goal. He finished the race as number one when Irad Ortiz, Jr. secured their spot on the race’s second turn.
Baffert once again proved to the world that he is indeed one of the industry’s best trainers as he is currently the only trainer who won twice in the said event. And now, on the fifth series of the Pegasus World Cup, he once again entered the race with two of his horses, the reigning champion Mucho Gusto and Charlatan, who is also one of the favorites of the upcoming race.
What is expected to happen in 2021
The 2021 running of the Pegasus World Cup favors the contender Tiz the Law, with his previous performances and victory. Many fans are rooting for him to win the Pegasus Cup and wagering their bet for him.
This year, he won three races, namely the Holy Bull Stakes, Travers Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. He also won second place to the Authentic on the Kentucky Derby. However, he fell to sixth place in the Breeder’s Cup last November. Meanwhile, Baffert’s Charlatan only fell to the third favorite spot.
With the current situation that we are in, the Pegasus race 2021 is expected to have less audience as they will only sell limited tickets to observe physical distancing within the premises. This is one of the health guidelines the organizers are imposing as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Takeaway
The past will always affect the present and the future. When it comes to predictions, the trend is one factor in how to choose the right horse to bet in the race. You can study and learn from past happenings, which can greatly affect your current decisions. With these highlights from the previous races, you can now start deciding whom to bet on the 2021 Pegasus World Cup.