Pegasus World Cup Races 2019
9.51 Gulfstream Park, Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes
The Aiden O’Brien trained Magic Wand and the Japanese trained Aerolithe are interesting contenders who benefit from a 7lb concession with not being on Lasix. Both have drawn well, though this 1m1.5f may be on the sharp side for Magic Wand and the same can be said for Channel Maker, whose chance would be vastly improved with some give in the ground, with soft ground bringing him right in to contention.
The most likely winner looks Yoshida, who at 7/2 looks a fair price. He has shown a high level of form on dirt, and turf and if the forecast rain does arrive in force he still looks to hold a strong hand having won on yielding turf.
If there isn’t any significant rain-fall then it could be worth chancing the lightly raced Bricks and Mortar at 13/2. His trainer, Chad Brown is well known for his training ability on turf and it has to be noted that he has chosen to bring this unexposed horse to this level considering the turf horses he does train. Bricks and Mortar started his early career with promise, beating Yoshida and finishing close to that rival later under a penalty before a training setback ruled him out for over a year. He returned to action on the 22nd of December in a minor claiming race, winning cosily. He turned in a bullet 5 furlong work-out recently and Gulfstream and if a can get a decent position behind the leaders from his draw in 7 then he can go close in this race that is sure to favour the pace horses.
Recommended bet
Bricks And Mortar (on good ground or better), 13/2 William Hill
Yoshida (on yielding or worse), 7/2 generally available
Channel Maker (on soft ground), 14/1 Bet365
10.36 Gulfstream Park, Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes
Accelerate 13/8 and City Of Light 11/4 both sit well clear at the head of the market. Accelerate has been in great form winning he last 4, including the Breeder’s Cup Classic in November. City Of Light was the last horse to beat Accelerate and this speed favouring track is sure to suit the Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile winner who will be stretching out over what could be his distance limit.
While the front two do look solid it could be worth chancing Todd Pletcher’s Audible who has already won twice here at Gulfstream. He was an impressive winner of the Florida Derby over 1m1f before finishing third to Justify in the Kentucky Derby. He returned from a 6 month break to win a minor stakes race before being turned-over at 1/10 here over a sloppy track. He has been drawn wide in stall 10 which isn’t such a hardship considering he is usually held up; at 14/1 he is worth chancing to bounce-back to form.
Recommended bet
Audible, 14/1 each-way, Paddy Power & Betfair
