Pegasus World Cup 2021: Closer look at the latest contenders

With the Clark, Cigar Mile, Harlan's Holiday and Claiming Crown Jewel all in books, the majority of the prep work for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) has been completed.

Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Tiz the Law remains the early favorite among the probables, but a strong comeback win by Tax has narrowed the gap.

Those listed as possible, including Knicks Go, Charlatan, Mucho Gusto and Maxfield, would drastically shift the balance of this race if entered.

Here is a look at which runners are probable and which are possible for the Pegasus World Cup, with the latest updates on each.

Probable

Tiz the Law: He has been pointed for this race since his disappointing sixth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He last worked five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Palm Meadows last Tuesday and looks poised to have a solid 4-year-old campaign.

Code of Honor: Shug McGaughey had this to say following Code of Honor's runner-up finish in the Clark (G1): “I was disappointed he didn’t win, but once he got freed up the other horse jumped away from him and we just couldn’t catch him. He’s at Payson Park and we’ll point for the Pegasus.” The multiple Grade 1 winner worked a bullet three furlongs in 36.0 seconds at Payson Park on Monday in his first work since the Clark.

Tax: The 2019 Jim Dandy winner was a bit of a forgotten horse. He ran ninth in last year's Pegasus and had not been seen since a fifth-place finish in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) in May. He returned better than ever in Saturday's Harlan's Holiday (G3) with a romping win in hand that set him up nicely for the Pegasus. “We really think (2021) is going to be his best year,” trainer Danny Gargan said after the Harlan's Holiday. “He’s grown, developed, he’s sounder, bigger, stronger than he’s ever been. I couldn’t be happier with today.”

True Timber: The stakes veteran had gone more than two years without a win before his upset score in the Cigar Mile (G1). Did the slop move him up, or is it a sign that he is back to his best? He ran seventh in last year's Pegasus, and the distance is a bit of a question mark, but now is the right time to stretch back out while in good form. Trainer Jack Sisterson has stated that the Pegasus World Cup and Saudi Cup are on the table for his runner.

Jesus' Team: This rapidly improving 3-year-old picked up a nice win over the track in the Claiming Crown Jewel. The waters are significantly deeper in here, but he did finish second at 66-1 in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. This former claimer continues to be an amazing success story for trainer Jose D'Angelo. “I am very sure he’s going to improve because this race worked out very good for him,” D’Angelo said of Jesus' Team after the Claiming Crown. “I can give him some days off and prepare him for the Pegasus World Cup.”

Mystic Guide: Michael Stidham's Jim Dandy (G2) winner was second behind Happy Saver in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). “Our intention throughout his 3-year-old year was to try to build up toward his 4-year-old year,” Stidham told HRN. “So we’re hoping for a very big 4-year-old year.” The journey to a strong campaign will begin in the Pegasus. Mystic Guide last worked four furlongs in 48.0 at the Fair Grounds last Tuesday.

Eye of a Jedi: This local runner always seems to outrun his odds for trainer Steve Budhoo. His second-place finish in the Harlan's Holiday will springboard him to the Pegasus if he can secure an invite, but he will have to take another big step forward to make an impact.

Possible

Knicks Go: Trainer Brad Cox has mentioned that the Pegasus World Cup could be the next target for the impressive Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner. Though a mile appears to be his best distance, he has proven himself at longer distances in the past and he is in razor sharp form. He last worked an easy four furlongs in 50.8 at the Fair Grounds on Sunday.

Mucho Gusto: Bob Baffert is targeting the San Antonio (G2) at Santa Anita Park on Dec. 26 as a comeback spot for the defending champion of the Pegasus. He has not raced since the Saudi Cup last February and likely will be shipped over for that race once more. In between the San Antonio and Saudi, Mucho Gusto could try to defend his title in this spot if he comes out of the San Antonio in good order. He last worked six furlongs in 1:12.8 at Santa Anita Park on Monday.

Math Wizard: The locally based Grade 1 winner was a disappointing fourth in the Harlan's Holiday. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. had said he would target the Pegasus if his colt ran well. With another below-average effort, his status is up in the air.

Owendale: He might not often win the most important races, but this consistent colt continues to pick up checks. His third-place finish in the Clark set him up for this spot. It will be interesting to see whether Cox chooses to run both Owendale and Knicks Go or only one of the two.

Charlatan: Baffert is taking things one step at a time with this ultra-talented colt who was the Kentucky Derby favorite in foreign futures for part of his 3-year-old campaign. He races this month for the first time since crossing the finish line first in the Arkansas Derby (G1) only to be disqualified for a failed drug test. He takes on Nashville in the Malibu (G1) at Santa Anita Park on Dec. 26. A strong effort may tempt his connections to stretch him back out in the Pegasus.

King Guillermo: The Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner ran an average fourth when returning from a layoff in the Cigar Mile (G1) in the slop. His connections were considering the Pegasus prior to that race and may still point him to this spot if they feel he got enough out of the race at Aqueduct.

Maxfield: Much like Charlatan, the connections are taking things one race at a time with this extremely talented but oft-injured runner. He returns Saturday in Fair Grounds' Tenacious Stakes, and a strong comeback effort would set him up nicely for the Pegasus should that route be chosen.