Only a few days before the 2024 Pegasus World Cup, spectators are starting to look into the invitees of the race and note which one will likely win it this year. With all twelve contenders, five racehorses show a strong presence and amazing race history, putting them on the radar as the contenders that most likely win the race.
Suppose you still don’t know who among the twelve invitees is the favorite to win the Pegasus World Cup this year. In that case, we will list them below, along with a brief introduction to understand why they are perceived as the strongest in this year’s lineup.
National Treasure
National Treasure, the victor of Preakness, is included in the list of prestigious invitees for the upcoming Pegasus World Cup races set to take place at Gulfstream Park this month. He is also one of the invitees who are under the radar of horse race fans and bettors to win the Pegasus race.
This 4-year-old colt under the wings of world-renowned thoroughbred trainer Bob Baffert showed great determination on the racetrack each time he was set to contend for a title. That said, his efforts and talent didn’t go unnoticed, earning him a spot as one of the top Pegasus 2024 picks to win the World Cup this year.
On his last race, National Treasure gives his best but unfortunately falls short and becomes a runner-up to Cody’s Wish. But despite not winning his latest race, it didn’t affect his reputation as one of the thoroughbreds to watch out for this Pegasus World Cup.
First Mission
First Mission is another name constantly popping up on the list of possible winners. Brad Cox, another hall-of-famer trainer in the horse racing world, trains First Mission. With the guidance of his trainer, this 4-year-old colt will likely win the race.
First Mission, the racehorse in serious contention for Gulfstream Park’s $3-million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) on January 27, continued its rigorous training at Fair Grounds Saturday.
Under the guidance of exercise rider Kelvin Perez, the horse completed a five-eighths of a mile drill in one minute, matching the fastest time among the 50 similar workouts that day. A week prior, First Mission had also clocked the fastest time over the same distance at 1:00.20. Luis Saez, the horse’s regular jockey, is confirmed to handle First Mission in the Pegasus event.
Dynamic One
Aside from the fact that Todd Pletcher trains Dynamic One, he also holds a long list of races that shows how experienced he is in the racetrack. Dynamic One’s notable achievement is his celebrated win at the Grade 2 Suburban in Belmont Park in July 2022.
After a hiatus of 15 and a half months, he only participated in two races. He ended in a less than impressive fifth-place finish as the 3-2 preferred contender in a local one-mile allowance event on December 22.
In a recent Grand Prix allowance optional claiming race, Dynamic One demonstrated promising abilities by securing a fifth-place finish.
While the performance might not have been extraordinary, the horse displayed impressive endurance and a robust final sprint, indicating the capacity to compete at a superior level.
Armed with Pletcher’s expertise and meticulous training, Dynamic One could be a surprise contender in the Pegasus World Cup. Facing off against more esteemed competitors, the distinct qualities of Dynamic One could pave the way for a surprising victory, making for an exciting spectacle for spectators.
Saudi Crown
The fourth favorite racehorse to win the 2024 Pegasus World Cup is Saudi Crown. Despite a less-than-stellar showing at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, FMQ Stables’ Saudi Crown has proven his mettle with Grade 1 qualifications, having triumphed at the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx.
His performance record speaks volumes about his abilities. As the Pegasus World Cup draws near, this colt is prepping for another shot at the prestigious title. With his impressive credentials and history of competing against formidable adversaries, the Saudi Crown is well-prepared to put up a strong fight on the race day.
Grand Aspen
Grand Aspen has an excellent race record. Although short, you will see on his racetrack performance that the thoroughbred is full of strength, agility, and determination to win. That and his trainer, Todd Pletcher, puts him and his stablemate, Dynamic One, into an effective exercise routine.
Grand Aspen comfortably covered a half-mile distance during their training in 48.40 seconds. This gives fans and bettors more reason to consider Grand Aspen one of the strongest invitees to the 2024 Pegasus World Cup.
Final Thoughts
With the list of possible winners for the Pegasus World Cup 2024, you now have a guide on who to focus on and perform deep research. However, remember that no matter how skillful and talented the racehorse is, the horse racing game isn’t guaranteed. So, trust your gut and choose the thoroughbred that you feel will cross the finish line first.
