It’s All Go for Pegasus World Cup Favorite

The $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational has attracted a mouth-watering field and it could be the race of the season.

Gulfstream Park plays host to 12 of the best thoroughbreds, including champions Knicks Go and Life is Good.

horse racing betting markets have framed it as a two-horse war, so we could see a match race eventuate.

Only one runner comes out on top this Saturday and we can’t wait to see who it is.

Favorite Ready to Go

Knicks Go is edging Life is Good for favoritism in the Pegasus World Cup and with good reason.

The outstanding 6-year-old won the Breeders’ Cup Classic in impressive fashion when beating the ill-fated Medina Spirit and Essential Quality.

It was one of the standout performances of the year and the Brad Cox-trained son of Paynter is the horse they all have to beat.

Ron Anderson, who represents jockey Joel Rosario, believes Knicks Go will head to the front and take plenty of catching.

“He’s going to make the lead, so it will be interesting to see what happens (against Life Is Good in the Pegasus), because basically it’s going to be a match race,” Anderson told ThePaulickReport. “There will be others in the race but it comes down to Life Is Good and Knicks Go. Good luck to Life Is Good, but he’s not going to be in front of my horse; there’s just no way.

“He’s not only fast, but more importantly, he’s quick on his feet. It doesn’t take him but three or four strides to be gone. When they leave the gate, he’s going to be in front, and they’re going to have to try and get him at some point.”

Knicks Go is shooting for his fifth consecutive victory, which includes wins in the Grade I Whitney Handicap and Lukas Classic Stakes.

The defending Pegasus World Cup champion hasn’t put a foot wrong throughout his career and it’s no surprise to see the sportsbook open him as favorite.

Bettors can get +150 for Knicks Go, which is good shopping. He could easily firm to around -110, so take the value available.

Pick: Knicks Go +150

Life is Good Faces Toughest Test

Life has been good for Life is Good, who owns five wins and a second from six career starts.

The Todd Pletcher-trained 4-year-old won his first three races before running second behind Jackie’s Warrior in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, but he bounced back with consecutive wins.

He won the Kelso Handicap before winning the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, but we do have concerns about his form at this level.

The Dirt Mile field wasn’t nearly as impressive as the field Knicks Go faced in the Classic, so the son of Into Mischief will need to find another gear.

However, his breeze-up work has been fantastic and there is respect with betting online markets. He’s on the second line of betting at +175, so there is market confidence.

“It was another super breeze. He looked awesome, moving really well, in hand throughout,” Pletcher said. “It’s kind of what we’ve been seeing every week. Just beautiful action, and does things effortlessly. We couldn’t be more pleased with how he went.

“We know he’s super talented and he’s training great,” Pletcher said. “We’re excited about the race, we’re excited about the way he’s coming into it, and we’re looking forward to it.”

We’re not questioning his raw ability, but +175 against a horse like Knicks Go is tough to take. He will be giving the favorite a start and we’re not sure he’ll have the legs to run him down.

However, he’s the obvious quinella chance and he’s much better than the rest of the field.

Pick: Knicks Go/Life is Good Quinella

Sir Winston Best of the Rest

Outside the favorites, it’s only a fair field for the Pegasus World Cup. We expected to see more quality types, but the timing of the race could play its part.

Knicks Go and Life is Good could beat the rest of the field by five lengths, but Sir Winston is a runner with upset claims.

The Mark Casse-trained son of Awesome Again won the Valedictory Stakes at Woodbine last start and it backed up solid placings in the Autumn Stakes and Durham Cup.

His best performance came when winning the Belmont Stakes in 2019, holding off the likes of Tacitus and Joevia. He hasn’t been the same since then, but he can’t be ruled out at odds.

The third-place position is up for grabs and it looks like Sir Winston’s for the taking.