Baffert: Charlatan, Mucho Gusto both possible for Pegasus

Bob Baffert is considering the Pegasus World Cup (G1) on Jan. 23 for some of the top older horses in his barn he said during an appearance on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod from the Vegas Stats & Information Network.

Charlatan, who won last time out in the Malibu (G1) at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 may aim for the race according to Baffert. 

“There’s the Pegasus or the Saudi Cup,” Baffert said. “I’m not sure yet. I want to see how he comes out of that race. So far he looks great, we’ll give him a couple weeks and decide then.”

Also possible is 5-year-old Mucho Gusto, winner of last year’s Pegasus World Cup. 

Charlatan, now 4, has crossed the wire first in all four of his career starts. He looked to be a leading Kentucky Derby contender when earning his first career stakes victory in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn on May 2.

However, the colt was disqualified after the race when he tested positive for an above-threshold level of lidocaine, a ruling that also netted Baffert a 15-day suspension in Arkansas.

Charlatan’s Malibu win was came at seven furlongs following ankle injury that had sidelined him for the summer. The Arkansas Derby win was run at the Pegasus distance of 1 1/8 miles.

Mucho Gusto returned from 10 months on the sidelines to be a disappointing fourth as the odds-on favorite in the Dec. 26 at San Antonio (G2). Prior to winning last year's Pegasus, he was fourth in the rich Saudi Cup. Baffert added another trip to Riyadh could be in the cards for Mucho Gusto. 

“He could show up at the Pegasus,” Baffert said. “He likes that track down there. We should know in the next couple weeks.”

Baffert noted he was probably asking too much of Mucho Gusto to go two turns in the San Antonio off such a lengthy layoff. 

“Mucho Gusto was just exhausted,” Baffert said of the finish in the 1 1/16-miles San Antonio. “He got really tired, coming off going that far. Probably would have been suited better going one turn first out.”

The $3 million Pegasus World Cup is set for Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park.