Analysis: How to bet the Pegasus World Cup Turf 2019
The Grade 1, $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf is an intriguing debut event with a couple of overseas entrants, confirmed front-runner Fahan Mura and a handful of strong finishers in the 1 3/16-mile feature.
RELATED: Free Pegasus World Cup past performances
Before choosing how to bet Saturday’s 11th race at Gulfstream Park, set for a 4:51 p.m. ET post time, let's analyze the field:
The Favorite
#2 Yoshida (5-2) is a quality late-running route performer on turf and dirt. Last year, he won the Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill and the Woodward (G1) on dirt at Saratoga. He is a solid threat from off the pace but neither towers over these nor offers much value.
Value Win Contenders
#1 Magic Wand (9-2) is classy enough to take this. She won a Group 2 race in Great Britain last year and was last seen finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
#7 Bricks and Mortar (5-1) tuned up for this with a sharp local optional claiming turf win on Dec. 22, marking his first start in more than a year. He won the Hall of Fame (G2) as a sophomore at Saratoga and is every bit as talented as morning line favorite Yoshida. The Chad Brown trainee is 2-for-2 at Gulfstream, and he drilled a turf bullet for this last weekend. He is versatile and owns a strong finishing kick.
#9 Catapult (7-2) fired exacta shots in his last six turf routes and was last seen finishing a close seconnd in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He likes firm turf and rallied to win his longest race in the Eddie Read (G2) at a mile and an eighth at Del Mar last summer.
Live Longshot
#5 Next Shares (15-1) won three of his last four graded turf routes, but he did not beat stellar foes in any of those wins. The sharp late runner should offer value.
Remaining Entrants
#3 Channel Maker (12-1) won a pair of graded turf stakes on soft ground last year. He does not seem to be as good on firm turf and probably wants more ground.
#4 Aerolithe (8-1) won a Group 2 affair in Japan last year and couple of group events in 2017. The 5-year-old mare can go at least a mile and an eighth.
#6 Fahan Mura (30-1) will be out there winging on the front end but probably won’t be able to last against these. Excellent Sunset would have run her down at Santa Anita with a better trip in the recent Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3).
#8 Delta Prince (15-1) is usually in the top three on turf but seems most effective at one mile.
#10 Dubby Dubbie (30-1) earned his best number yet Nov. 23 in an optional claiming score on yielding ground at Churchill Downs. He is a solid turf router, but class is a big cloud.
Wagering Strategies
#7 to win
Exacta 7/1-2-9
Exacta 1-2-9/7
Trifecta Key 7/1-2-5-9