Florida’s richest and most important race, the Grade 1, $3 million Pegasus World Cup, happens on Saturday, January 27 at Gulfstream Park! The race covers 1 ⅛ miles on the Gulfstream dirt, and it drew an overflow field of leading handicap horses and new faces trying to make an impact: 12 invitees in the main field, and one also-eligible entrant.
Winners of the Pegasus World Cup, one of the newest traditions in horse racing, already include several legends on track and at stud including Arrogate, Gun Runner, and Knicks Go. Thanks to its illustrious competitors and history, betting this top Florida horse race is something everyone looks forward to, so read on and find out both the best horses to bet and the best places to bet the Pegasus World Cup online.
Not all of us can make it to Gulfstream Park for the Pegasus World Cup, but we can all be a part of the action. Betting the Pegasus at an online racebook means you can play from anywhere: at home, on the go, wherever you have an internet connection. Playing online from a trusted racebook also gives you great incentives you’ll never find at the track or OTB.
Those great racebook bonuses include deposit and sign-up bonuses, referral benefits, and horse racing rebates that pay you for every bet you make. Take a few minutes now to read our expert reviews and pick the best bonuses for your betting style, and get ready to build your bankroll through the Pegasus and beyond!
These are the best online wagering options for Florida horseplayers:
With your account set up, it is time to focus on the 2024 Pegasus World Cup. Read on to meet the field and see who the leading contenders in the race are.
This is the official field for the 2024 Pegasus World Cup including post positions, trainers, jockeys, and morning lines:
Note that Castle Chaos will not race unless a horse scratches from the main field before the Saturday-morning deadline. Gulfstream Park did not assign morning-line odds for Castle Chaos.
The morning line is the Gulfstream track handicapper’s best estimate of what the tote board will look like at post time, but you are not guaranteed those odds. On track, prices move until post time. Your best bet in the Pegasus World Cup is to play at an online racebook, since you can take advantage of fixed-odds wagering on major races. That way, you lock in the best price just by placing a bet!
These are the Pegasus World Cup odds for the leading contenders.
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Treasure | +135 | +180 | +180 |
| First Mission | +300 | +300 | +350 |
| Trademark | +900 | +700 | +900 |
| Grand Aspen | +1200 | +1400 | +1200 |
| Hoist the Gold | +1200 | +900 | +1200 |
| O'Connor | +1200 | +1100 | +1200 |
| Skippylongstocking | +1200 | +1400 | +1200 |
The favorite in the 2024 Pegasus World Cup will be National Treasure, off his second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. The Dirt Mile is a traditionally live Pegasus prep and his frontrunning style suits the course. However, National Treasure typically goes better after a race or two off the lay. For a horse who was inconsistent at age three, he is a serious underlay on the tote board.
A better choice is First Mission. Though he was nosed out in the Clark (G2) last out, that day he showed he can keep pace with good older horses. His stalking style should be the right style to win the Pegasus; between how the course plays and the setup of the field, a horse who does his best work in close range of the lead but not on it should shine. And, the 1 ⅛-mile trip is perfect.
Hoist the Gold still has to prove that he can handle a route distance, particularly against good horses. However, he has pedigree upside on both top and bottom. His speed should get him a good spot, and he has shown that he can either set the pace or run well from just off of it. He is in some of the best form of his career and looks like an interesting upset candidate for Dallas Stewart.
Skippylongstocking has to handle a challenging far-outside post. However, he does have a lot of the tools needed to be a factor in the Pegasus. He is well proven both over the Gulfstream course and at the 1 ⅛-mile distance. If he can find a place near the lead to drop in and try not to lose too much ground around the first turn, he could have enough left to be a factor all the way.
Although closers tend to be up against it on the win end at Gulfstream, there are enough horses who like being on or near the lead that a good closer should be able to get a piece. That horse is Senor Buscador. A consistent runner who has been a fixture in races at this level for over a year, he should be able to bide his time, uncork his late run, and jazz up the trifecta or superfecta payouts.
All that is left to do now is the most fun part of all: placing your bets on the 2024 Pegasus World Cup! These are the best bets for Saturday’s 2024 Pegasus World Cup:
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