Pegasus World Cup: What the Field Might Look Like

The field for the inaugural $12 million Pegasus World Cup is still taking shape, with stakeholders still working out their $1 million shares to get one of twelve spots in the starting gate. Other than the first two, who already have a spot, the horses mentioned below are the most prominent possible contenders at this stage.

California Chrome: The Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up will make a surprise start at Los Alamitos Dec. 17, using the race as a local prep before he takes his final bow on the racetrack in the Pegasus World Cup. California Chrome has been on board for the Pegasus World Cup since the race was announced.

Shaman Ghost: After missing the Breeders’ Cup Classic due to a fever, the Woodward winner ran third in the Clark Handicap and will be taking a shot at Classic contenders in the Pegasus World Cup.

Arrogate: The Breeders’ Cup Classic winner is probable for the Pegasus World Cup, where he would take on California Chrome for the second time. Arrogate had his first work since the Classic on Dec. 1, breezing four furlongs in :49 flat at Santa Anita Park.

Gun Runner: Gun Runner beat older horses last out in the Clark and has been a model of consistency, giving him a deserving chance at the Pegasus World Cup.

Connect: This rising star also beat older horses in his last race, running down Divining Rod in the Cigar Mile. Before that effort he outfinished Gun Runner to win the Pennsylvania Derby.

Hoppertunity: Another consistent horse, Hoppertunity has never finished out of the top four other than his very first race. The Jockey Club Gold Cup winner is always right up there with the top horses.

Melatonin: Following his Gold Cup at Santa Anita win, Melatonin had more than four months off before his fifth place effort in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Pegasus World Cup would be another big spot for him to come back.

Divining Rod: After barely missing the Cigar Mile win, Divining Rod is possibly at his best form yet. He also finished second behind Noble Bird in the Fayette Stakes and won two allowance optional claiming races.

Keen Ice: Keen Ice had to deal with a trainer switch and time off from an injury after March of this year. He came back in October to make a third place effort in an allowance optional claimer and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Pegasus World Cup would be a place to prove how well the horse has come back.

Sticksstatelydude: Sticksstatelydude earned his first stakes victory last out in the Discovery Handicap after a runner-up effort in the Oklahoma Derby. He could be another young horse on the improve.

Noble Bird: He missed all chances after not breaking well in the Clark, but his scores in the Fayette Stakes and Lukas Classic show he is a better horse than his Clark performance suggested.

Breaking Lucky: Though mainly in Canada, Breaking Lucky sometimes takes a stab at the U.S. races and was second to Gun Runner in the Clark at 46-1.

By Christine Oser