The primary marquee race of the 2025 racing calendar is about for Saturday, when Gulfstream Park hosts the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes. The 1 1/8-mile dust race has been a centerpiece of the winter season because it was rebranded in 2017, and it yearly brings collectively a number of the greatest older dust horses in coaching to compete.
This yr’s Pegasus anchors a spectacular day of racing at Gulfstream Park that includes eight different stakes races. It’ll air on NBC and FanDuel TV and stream on Peacock, with a scheduled publish time of 5:40 p.m. ET.
Get data on the entire Pegasus contenders plus some handicapping insights under:
1. Mixto (10-1 morning-line odds)
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Coach: Doug O’Neill
Proprietor: Calumet Farm
Profession document: 16 begins – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 5 thirds
Profession earnings: $794,180
High Equibase Pace Determine: 108
Pedigree: Good Magic – Musical Thriller, by Concerto
Age: 5
Colour: Chestnut
Working type: Stalker
Evaluation: Mixto jumped on the nationwide scene with a 22.20-1 upset win within the FanDuel Racing Pacific Basic Stakes final summer time at Del Mar. He defeated one of many weakest fields within the historical past of that storied race, nonetheless, and in his subsequent begin completed 11th, defeated by 19 lengths, within the Longines Breeders’ Cup Basic. The 5-year-old bounced again to run third by a size within the Native Diver Stakes again in November and might be delivery in from California off of a two-month break for the Pegasus. It’s exhausting to see him successful, though getting worldwide star jockey Frankie Dettori to trip for the primary time is a plus.
Wager Mixto to win the Pegasus World Cup
2. Saudi Crown (9-2)
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Coach: Brad Cox
Proprietor: FMQ Stables
Profession document: 12 begins – 6 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $3,130,985
High Equibase Pace Determine: 114
Pedigree: At all times Dreaming – New Narration, by Tapit
Age: 5
Colour: Grey or roan
Working type: Pacesetter
Evaluation: Which Saudi Crown will present up? At his greatest, this front-runner is a win menace within the Pegasus, however his past-performance line additionally consists of some absolute no-show efforts. His most up-to-date clunker got here two begins again within the Large Ass Followers Breeders’ Cup Dust Mile, the place was not in a position to safe his customary place on or close to the lead and ended up eased within the stretch to complete final of 13. He bounced again with a strong two-length rating within the Tenacious Stakes to shut out 2024 and takes a step again up in school Saturday. There’s not a variety of pace entered on this yr’s Pegasus, so if he can set a cushty tempo Saudi Crown can hold round lengthy sufficient to hit the board and presumably pull a minor upset. Coach Brad Cox received this race in 2021 with Knicks Go, and jockey Florent Geroux was aboard 2018 winner Gun Runner.
Wager Saudi Crown to win the Pegasus World Cup
3. Newgrange (20-1)
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo
Coach: Jose Francisco D’Angelo
House owners: David Bernsen, Little Crimson Feather Racing, and Rockingham Ranch
Profession document: 15 begins – 7 wins – 0 seconds – 4 thirds
Profession earnings: $1,014,134
High Equibase Pace Determine: 108
Pedigree: Violence – Bella Chianti, by Empire Maker
Age: 6
Colour: Darkish bay or brown
Working type: Press the tempo
Evaluation: Newgrange makes his first begin for coach Jose D’Angelo within the Pegasus after spending his complete profession thus far racing in California. He picked up three stakes wins there and reached a profession peak a yr in the past when successful a pair of graded stakes in late 2023 and early 2024. His type fell off a cliff in his subsequent two begins, nonetheless, as he completed sixth in a Grade 1 and most lately fifth in a Grade 2, shedding each by greater than 10 lengths. His final race got here approach again in late July, which makes him a little bit of a wild card within the Pegasus as he resurfaces in a brand new surroundings towards a tricky discipline. Search for first-time jockey Emisael Jaramillo, a very good tempo rider, to be aggressive with Newgrange and problem Saudi Crown for the early lead Saturday.
Wager Newgrange to win the Pegasus World Cup
4. White Abarrio (3-1)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Coach: Saffie Joseph Jr.
House owners: C 2 Racing Steady, Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and Antonio Pagnano
Profession document: 19 begins – 8 wins – 2 seconds – 3 thirds
Profession earnings: $5,241,850
High Equibase Pace Determine: 122
Pedigree: Race Day – Catching Diamonds, by Into Mischief
Age: 6
Colour: Grey or roan
Working type: Stalker
Evaluation: White Abarrio figures to be one of many high two or three win contenders within the Pegasus, and if he can cycle again to the shape he confirmed in late 2023, he might dominate this race. His wins within the 2023 Whitney Stakes and Longines Breeders’ Cup Basic tower over the very best efforts from many of the different Pegasus contenders, and he confirmed tantalizing glimpses of returning to that stage in his two lead-in races to Saturday’s tilt, simply successful a seven-furlong allowance-optional claiming race again in November after which ending a rallying second within the seven-furlong Mr. Prospector Stakes in December, each at Gulfstream. He’s received a powerful six of eight races on this observe and retains the companies of jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who was aboard for his two marquee 2023 wins referenced above and has two Pegasus wins on his résumé. This 6-year-old appears to be like primed to stretch again out to a mile and an eighth and be a significant component within the Pegasus in his third begin again below the care of unique coach Saffie Joseph Jr.
Wager White Abarrio to win the Pegasus World Cup
5. Crupi (15-1)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Coach: Todd Pletcher
House owners: Repole Steady and St. Elias Steady
Profession document: 19 begins – 5 wins – 4 seconds – 5 thirds
Profession earnings: $1,169,000
High Equibase Pace Determine: 112
Pedigree: Curlin – Don’tforgetaboutme, by Malibu Moon
Age: 5
Colour: Chestnut
Working type: Nearer
Evaluation: This one-dimensional nearer will want a quick early tempo to arrange his late kick, and he may not get it in a 2025 Pegasus discipline that lacks pace horses. He can normally be counted on to mount a closing rally and has proven the stamina to deal with this 1 1/8-mile distance, however total his expertise stage maxes out under a number of different contenders on this race. It’s exhausting to examine him successful, however he’ll be operating late by the stretch and may decide off sufficient items to fill out the superfecta or, much less possible, the trifecta, for jockey Luis Saez, who will get again aboard Crupi for the primary time since driving him within the 2024 Dubai World Cup. Coach Todd Pletcher received the 2022 Pegasus with Life Is Good and likewise received the Donn Handicap, because the Pegasus was named previous to 2017, 5 instances.
Wager Crupi to win the Pegasus World Cup
6. Stronghold (10-1)
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Coach: Phil D’Amato
House owners: Eric and Sharon Waller
Profession document: 10 begins – 3 wins – 6 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $1,128,000
High Equibase Pace Determine: 114
Pedigree: Ghostzapper – Spectator, by Jimmy Creed
Age: 4
Colour: Bay
Working type: Stalker
Evaluation: This California shipper is an intriguing longshot within the Pegasus as he’s solely completed worse than second as soon as in 10 begins, and even that effort – seventh in final yr’s Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve – wasn’t horrible. Stronghold has been runner-up in all three of his begins because the Derby and was closing by the stretch to nab second in his lead-in race, the Dec. 26 Malibu Stakes held at seven furlongs. This colt, who received final yr’s Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles, prefers to race round two turns, and he’ll get the chance to stretch again out Saturday with common jockey Antonio Fresu additionally touring from the West Coast to trip. Stronghold nonetheless has some upside as he enters his 4-year-old season and will upset the Pegasus if he can attain that new stage.
Wager Stronghold to win the Pegasus World Cup
7. Steal Sunshine (30-1)
Jockey: Dylan Davis
Coach: Bobby Dibona
House owners: Michael Iavarone, Jules Iavarone, Carrie Brogden, Kevin Pollard, Ed Gorry, and David Menard
Profession document: 25 begins – 7 wins – 2 seconds – 7 thirds
Profession earnings: $612,260
High Equibase Pace Determine: 110
Pedigree: Structure – Heat Sunshine, by Unbridled’s Music
Age: 6
Colour: Darkish bay or brown
Working type: Nearer
Evaluation: Steal Sunshine relies at Gulfstream Park and has relished competing on this observe, successful six of 18 begins and ending second or third eight different instances. He’s a strong, veteran campaigner whose largest problem would be the Pegasus’ mile-and-an-eighth distance. General, he does his greatest operating in races held at seven furlongs to a mile and going round one flip (one-mile dust races at Gulfstream are held at that configuration). He’s by no means received round two turns, however he’s run nicely sufficient in his occasional begins to warrant consideration as a superfecta or trifecta filler at what needs to be big post-time odds. Steal Sunshine may even get the companies of fast-rising jockey Dylan Davis for the primary time, however an absence of early pace entered on this race will work towards his late-closing type.
Wager Steal Sunshine to win the Pegasus World Cup
8. Vitality (50-1)
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
Coach: Harold Ladouceur
House owners: Stronach Stables and Joel Hunsburger
Profession document: 12 begins – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $272,620
High Equibase Pace Determine: 99
Pedigree: Avenue Boss – Belissimo, by Superior Once more
Age: 4
Colour: Chestnut
Working type: Nearer
Evaluation: Vitality is a 50-1 longshot on the Pegasus morning line and will go away the gate at odds in that vary, as he’s accomplished most of his operating on all-weather tracks in Canada and solely began racing on dust final September. He excelled in his first dust begin, successful the Prince of Wales Stakes by 4 lengths north of the border, after which shipped to Kentucky and Florida for 3 further begins, ending a very good second in an allowance race two races again after which operating a no-threat sixth of eight in his Gulfstream Park debut, the 1 1/16-mile Harlan’s Vacation Stakes in late December. His pace figures are among the many lowest within the Pegasus discipline however are usually not fully out of orbit, and he figures to get some assist for followers of jockey Rajiv Maragh, who returned to the saddle final October at this observe after an absence of almost three years.
Wager Vitality to win the Pegasus World Cup
9. Mystik Dan (8-1)
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Coach: Ken McPeek
House owners: 4 G Racing, Valley View Farm, Lance Gasaway, and Daniel Hamby III
Profession document: 10 begins – 3 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $4,161,860
High Equibase Pace Determine: 110
Pedigree: Goldencents – Ma’am, by Colonel John
Age: 4
Colour: Bay
Working type: Stalker
Evaluation: Final yr’s Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve winner, who will goal for a bounce-back effort after ending a puzzling final of six within the Dec. 26 Malibu Stakes, is without doubt one of the high storylines for the 2025 Pegasus. The Malibu, held at seven furlongs, was Mystik Dan’s first begin since ending a distant eighth of 10 within the Belmont Stakes in June, and it raises doubts about whether or not this gifted runner’s greatest racing is behind him. Coach Ken McPeek mentioned after the Malibu that Mystik Dan seemed to be in fine condition, and he’s put in a pair of quick exercises on Gulfstream’s observe since delivery to Florida. If he can regain his spring 2024 type, he’s definitely able to successful the Pegasus, and his versatile operating type is a plus as nicely. Search for common jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. to place Mystik Dan in third or fourth and inside contact of the early leaders, presumably angling towards the rail and racing inside for the primary mile or so to avoid wasting floor. Those that nonetheless think about the fan favourite ought to get a sq. value within the Pegasus.
Wager Mystik Dan to win the Pegasus World Cup
10. Skippylongstocking (10-1)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Coach: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Proprietor: Daniel Alonso
Profession document: 28 begins – 9 wins – 3 seconds – 5 thirds
Profession earnings: $3,092,985
High Equibase Pace Determine: 114
Pedigree: Exaggerator – Twinkling, by Conflict Chant
Colour: Bay
Working type: Press the tempo/stalker
Evaluation: This veteran is maybe essentially the most dependable Pegasus contender to evaluate when handicapping the race. He’s a constant runner who’s at his greatest going round two turns, sporting a document of 5 wins, two seconds, and two thirds in 13 begins at 1 1/8 miles. He’s additionally run nicely at Gulfstream Park, with three wins, a second, and a 3rd in 10 begins. Nonetheless, Skippylongstocking has additionally confirmed to be best on the Grade 2 and Grade 3 stage – his solely three poor efforts over his prior 11 begins got here on the Grade 1 stage, together with in final yr’s Pegasus when he was pulled up and walked off the observe. This yr will mark the third consecutive Pegasus begin for Skippylongstocking, and he initiatives to affix Newgrange and Mystik Dan among the many horses urgent possible pacesetter Saudi Crown early within the race. He’s a contender worthy of utilizing in exacta and trifecta tickets at what needs to be good odds however he’s additionally decidedly the second-tier contender for coach Saffie Joseph Jr. behind White Abarrio.
Wager Skippylongstocking to win the Pegasus World Cup
11. Locked (5-2)
Jockey: John Velazquez
Coach: Todd Pletcher
House owners: Eclipse Thoroughbred Companions and Walmac Farm
Profession document: 6 begins – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 2 thirds
Profession earnings: $935,650
High Equibase Pace Determine: 113
Pedigree: Gun Runner – Luna Rosa, by Malibu Moon
Age: 4
Colour: Chestnut
Working type: Stalker
Evaluation: Locked is the slight morning-line favourite in a aggressive version of the Pegasus World Cup primarily based on his wonderful return to the observe after almost a yr away. He was one of many high 2-year-olds in coaching in 2023 however missed the Triple Crown season as a consequence of a bodily setback and didn’t make his first begin at age 3 till October in New York. He resurfaced with a 7 ½-length win in a seven-furlong allowance-optional claiming race after which rallied late to win the Cigar Mile Handicap Offered by Twinspires.com by 1 ½ lengths towards a top quality discipline. All techniques seem set to “go” for the Pegasus and Corridor of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who’s been aboard for each of Locked’s comeback wins, retains the mount. He drew a tricky publish place and would possibly get caught vast on the primary flip at Gulfstream, and he additionally could also be overbet. As with Stronghold, nonetheless, there’s nonetheless some untapped potential on this runner as he begins his 4-year-old season. As such, he’s received a very good likelihood to provide Todd Pletcher his second Pegasus victory.
Wager Locked to win the Pegasus World Cup
12. Energy Squeeze (30-1)
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Coach: Jorge Delgado
Proprietor: Lea Farms
Profession document: 12 begins – 6 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $937,450
High Equibase Pace Determine: 97
Pedigree: Union Rags – Callmethesqueeze, by Superior Once more
Age: 4
Colour: Chestnut
Working type: Nearer
Evaluation: The one filly within the 2025 Pegasus discipline faces a really robust project within the first begin of her 4-year-old season. She was probably the greatest in her class in 2024, successful 5 of 9 begins, the entire wins coming in stakes races together with a sport head victory within the 1 ¼-mile Alabama Stakes final summer time. In her closing begin of 2024, Energy Squeeze mustered her customary closing cost to complete second by a neck within the one-turn mile Rampart Stakes in late December, her first loss in three begins on Gulfstream’s dust observe. As a result of she’s a more in-depth, the far exterior publish place shouldn’t be an issue, as jockey Javier Castellano, who was aboard Energy Squeeze within the Alabama and received the Pegasus in 2019, figures to settle her close to the again of the sphere early and angle in to avoid wasting floor. Her pace figures are among the many slowest amongst this yr’s Pegasus group and venture her extra as a late-running superfecta or trifecta filler than as a win candidate.
Wager Energy Squeeze to win the Pegasus World Cup
