Pegasus World Cup Analysis: Gulfstream Park January 29, 2022

The showdown many have been waiting for is finally here. Knicks Go and Life is good are set to throw down in the 2022 Pegasus World Cup from Gulfstream Park.

All analysis below has been done using post positions. Gulfstream Park does not couple entries so post position should be reflected in the program numbers used for betting. However, it is always recommended that you verify these numbers via the Equibase website.

Pegasus World Cup (Race 12)

Post: 5:34 PM ET; Purse: $3,000,000 Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. presented by 1/ST BET, 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 9

This race looks like a heavyweight match up of the top two runners. Both are wicked fast and love to be forward which could lead to a really fun matchup for bettors.

PP1 KNICKS GO is the returning champion and the old guard in the older male division. I personally love the rail draw on the Gulfstream dirt as this one pretty much needs to be on the lead and should have no issue getting it here.

PP4 LIFE IS GOOD would have likely been the favorite in the Kentucky Derby were it not for an injury. After a lengthy layoff he returned in August of his three old campaign to put up an wicked duel with Jackie’s Warrior and then two graded stakes win including the Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile.

The only way I see these two losing is if someone sits off the pace and the two front runners who burn each other up. These two haven’t shown that in the past so it’s hard to imagine here.

PP5 EMPTY TOMB and PP3 STILLETO BOY might be some interesting players underneath, but I don’t see them threatening the win spot.

Selections: 1-4-5-3 (Best Bet: KNICKS GO)

Pegasus World Cup Turf (Race 11)

Post: 4:49 PM ET; Purse: $1,000,000 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S. presented by Baccarat, 1 1/8 Miles on Turf; Entries: 12

PP6 COLONEL LIAM did not fire in the Manhattan Stakes and finished 8th. Prior to that this one was heralded as the king of the hill in the turf route division. Good news for backers is that in the horse’s 2 previous losses, he followed it up with a victory in the next start.

PP8 SACRED LIFE has to be respected based on the connections. PP10 CHANNEL CAT has proven to be capable of stealing races on the front end. Gulfstream turf can be speed favoring at time and this one may have the chance to steal it on the front end. PP9 FIELD PASS also isn’t a total toss from this spot.

Selections: 6-8-10-9

Other Pegasus Day Stakes

Gulfstream Park Race 5- La Prevoyante

Post: 1:27 PM ET; Purse: $150,000 La Prevoyante S., 1 1/2 Miles on Turf; Entries: 9

PP4 ALWAYS SHOPPING is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating. PP6 BEAUTIFUL LOVER is worth a look here given edges in class & form. PP1 SORREL merits consideration in this spot given the connections. PP8 HUNGRY KITTEN is in with a punter’s chance.

Selections: 4-6-1-8

Gulfstream Park Race 7- W.L. McKnight

Post: 2:31 PM ET; Purse: $200,000 W. L. McKnight S., 1 1/2 Miles on Turf; Entries: 15

PP1 TEMPLE should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & connections. PP9 GLYNN COUNTY comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future. This one has played spoiler before. PP10 ABAAN is in with a great chance based on the horse's power rating. PP13 FLYING SCOTSMAN will have to work out a good trip from a difficult post.

Selections: 1-9-10-13

Gulfstream Park Race 8- Inside Information

Post: 3:03 PM ET; Purse: $200,000 Inside Information S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 10

PP3 DANCE D'ORO is a major player based on speed figures. PP5 FOUR GRACES will look to bounce back with a big performance here. PP8 JUST ONE TIME could get a perfect pace scenario today. PP1 FAMILY TIME merits consideration in this spot given the early pace numbers which should help on the Gulfstream dirt.

Selections: 3-5-8-1

Gulfstream Park Race 9- Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf

Post: 3:36 PM ET; Purse: $500,000 TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational S. presented by PEPSI, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 11

The Pegasus World Cup actually includes a third stakes as well and this one is for the girls on the grass.

PP4 REGAL GLORY looks to be the class of the field. PP2 WAKANAKA is competitive in a lot of key metrics and should not be overlooked. PP9 SHIFTY SHE is worth a look here given edges in race flow & pace numbers. PP1 SWEET MELANIA has the top speed figures and consistently fires a solid performance.

Selections: 4-2-9-1

Gulfstream Park Race 10

Post: 4:12 PM ET; Purse: $150,000 Fred W. Hooper S. presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 9

PP1 FEARLESS is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & projected race flow of the event. PP8 SPEAKER'S CORNER is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating. PP4 OFFICIATING should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done. PP9 GIROLAMO'S ATTACK has to be respected based on the connections.

Pegasus Day Full Card Analysis

Gulfstream Park Race 1

Post: 11:30 AM ET; Purse: $50,000 Starter Handicap, 1 1/8 Miles on All Weather Track; Entries: 13

Race 1 is one of just two all weather races on Pegasus Day. PP11 TOWN CLASSIC looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts. PP1 LIGHT FURY is in with a great chance based on the horse's connections & power rating. PP4 YAMATO should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form. PP12 SMALL HOPE will need some luck from the 12 hole, but wouldn’t be a total stunner.

Selections: 11-1-4-12

Gulfstream Park Race 2

Post: 11:59 AM ET; Purse: $60,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 11

PP7 CONSULATE looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts. PP1 BEYOND BEST is in with a great chance based on the horse's breeding. PP11 ISTHMIAN is in with a great chance based on the horse's connections & pace numbers. PP2 MAD MOCHA is a major player based on speed figures.

Selections: 7-1-11-2

Gulfstream Park Race 3

Post: 12:28 PM ET; Purse: $61,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 15

PP8 STAR SEEKING consistently ranks well in a number of handicapping factors. PP7 LUCY'S CAKES FLY is worth a look here given edges in connections & form. PP12 SERENADE A KITTEN is worth a look here given edges in class & pace numbers. PP11 GLADYS is a major player based on speed figures.

Selections: 8-7-12-11

Gulfstream Park Race 4

Post: 12:57 PM ET; Purse: $60,000 Maiden Special Weight, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 12

PP8 UMBRA should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done. PP12 CONGRESSMAN is another that likes to be forwardly placed. At 7 furlongs I don’t hate the outside, but the #8 drawing to the inside may require a little something extra to hit the front rail. PP5 MACKILLOP makes some sense and should be able to get position more quickly than the top 2. PP10 SWING SHIFT will have to work out a trip with speeds on either side, but may be able to stalk and pounce.

Selections: 8-12-5-10

Gulfstream Park Race 5

Post: 1:27 PM ET; Purse: $150,000 La Prevoyante S., 1 1/2 Miles on Turf; Entries: 9

Pegasus day stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 4-6-1-8

Gulfstream Park Race 6

Post: 1:57 PM ET; Purse: $70,000 Handicap, About 1 Mile 70 Yards on All Weather Track; Entries: 13

PP12 JOURNEYMAN merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form. PP8 ORDER AND LAW looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts. PP7 TELEPHONE TALKER has to be respected based on the connections. PP3 FANCY LIQUOR will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.

Selections: 12-8-7-3

Gulfstream Park Race 7

Post: 2:31 PM ET; Purse: $200,000 W. L. McKnight S., 1 1/2 Miles on Turf; Entries: 15

Pegasus day stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 1-9-10-13

Gulfstream Park Race 8

Post: 3:03 PM ET; Purse: $200,000 Inside Information S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 10

Pegasus day stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 3-5-8-1

Gulfstream Park Race 9

Post: 3:36 PM ET; Purse: $500,000 TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational S. presented by PEPSI, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 11

Pegasus day stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 4-2-9-1

Gulfstream Park Race 10

Post: 4:12 PM ET; Purse: $150,000 Fred W. Hooper S. presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 9

Pegasus day stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 1-8-4-9

Gulfstream Park Race 11

Post: 4:49 PM ET; Purse: $1,000,000 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S. presented by Baccarat, 1 1/8 Miles on Turf; Entries: 12

Pegasus World Cup Turf analysis provided above

Selections: 6-8-10-9

Gulfstream Park Race 12

Post: 5:34 PM ET; Purse: $3,000,000 Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. presented by 1/ST BET, 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 9

Pegasus World Cup analysis provided above

Selections: 1-4-5-3

Betting News Free Handicapping Tools

For more information on the Pegasus World Cup card, check out our free handicapping tools.