$3 M Pegasus World Cup, $20 M Saudi Cup: Betting, Automatic Qualifiers

There are actually two Pegasus World Cup events on Saturday. The first, is the eleventh race of the day, and it is the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational and the purse is $1 million. The second is the twelfth race on the card and is $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational run on the dirt track.

The Pegasus World Cup is a huge day in horse racing. It is the unofficial kickoff of the 2021 racing season. From here we will go into Kentucky Derby prep races and then, of course, the Triple Crown races of the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes. Then we head to Saratoga, Del Mar, and the Breeders’ Cup. But first, it all starts with the Pegasus at sunny Gulfstream Park down in South Florida. The Pegasus is not just the kickoff event for the racing year, no, it is a major race, with a huge purse attached to it.

RELATED: Pegasus World Cup Odds: Knicks Go Made Slight 5-2 Favorite In $3 Million Pegasus World Cup

Pegasus Races Become Automatic Qualifiers for Saudi Cup

Since the 2017 inaugural event, the Pegasus World Cup has become a premier event on the international Thoroughbred racing calendar and has been seen by millions of fans around the world. Adding to the excitement of this year’s event, the winner of the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) will receive an automatic spot in the $20 million Saudi Cup.

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia Oct. 23 named four races as “Win and You’re In” events for the second Saudi Cup program, slated for Feb. 19-20, 2021, at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.

The “Road to Riyadh” includes the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 23 and the Champions Cup (G1) at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan Dec. 6 as qualifiers for the $20 million Saudi Cup.

$1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational

The $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1T) becomes an entry to the $1 million Middle Distance Turf Cup, and the Capella Stakes (G3) on the dirt at Nakayama Racecourse Dec. 13 is a ticket to the $1.5 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint.

Last year’s Pegasus World Cup winner, Mucho Gusto, finished fourth in the Saudi Cup. The Bob Baffert trainee, currently breezing at Los Alamitos Race Course, is pointed toward the same races in 2021.

RELATED: Eddie Mac’s Book: Good Idea To Go With The Favorites On Pegasus Day 2021

 $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Odds

PP
Horse
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Odds
1
Sleepy Eyes Todd
Jose Ortiz
Miguel Angel Silva
Thumbs Up Racing, LLC
8-1
2
Coastal Defense
 Corey Lanerie
Dale Romans
Albaugh Family Stables LLC and Helen K. Groves Revocable Trust
15-1
3
Independence Hall
Flavien Prat
Michael W. McCarthy
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC, Verratti, Kathleen and Verratti, Robert N.
20-1
4
Knicks Go
Joel Rosario
Brad Cox
Korea Racing Authority
5-2
5
Jesus’ Team 
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Jose D’Angelo
Grupo 7C Racing Stable
8-1
6
Kiss Today Goodbye
Mike Smith
J. Eric Kruljac
John Sondereker
10-1
7
Tax
Luis Saez
Danny Gargan
R.A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch
5-1
8
Harpers First Ride
Angel Cruz
Claudio A. Gonzalez
MCA Racing Stable LLc
10-1
9
Last Judgment
Paco Lopez
Michael J. Maker
Dubb, Michael, Hornstock, Steve, Bethlehem Stables LLC and Nice Guys Stables
20-1
10
Code of Honor
Tyler Gaffalione
Shug McGaughey
W.S. Farish
9-2
11
Mr Freeze
John Velazquez
Dale Romans
Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister
15-1
12
Math Wizard
Edgard Zayas
Saffie Joseph Jr.
John Fanelli, Khalid Mishref, Cash is King LLC, LC Racing LLC, Collarmele Vitelli Stables LLC, Ioannis, Zouas, Bassett Stables
20-1

Related: Pegasus Profiles and Gate Draw, Knicks Go 5-2 Favorite

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