The inaugural $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational will be held on Saturday, January 28th, and will be the richest race in the history of Thoroughbred racing. The 1 1/8-mile race on the main track at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida drew the top three finishers from the Breeders’ Cup Classic — Arrogate, California Chrome and Keen Ice, respectively — chasing the top prize of $7 million to the victor.
A highlight of the race will be the rematch between California Chrome and Arrogate, who defeated the recently crowned Horse of the Year, in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic by half a length. This will be California Chrome’s last race before he is retired to stud.
Representing Canada will be Stronach Group’s homebred Shaman Ghost, a son of Stronach’s best racehorse, 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper. Shaman Ghost upset heavily favoured Frosted in the Woodward Stakes in September 2016 to earn his first career Grade 1 victory. He also won the 2016 Brooklyn Invitational Stakes in his second start for trainer Jimmy Jerkens. In 2015, Shaman Ghost won the Queen’s Plate and was subsequently named Canada’s champion 3-year-old male.
The Pegasus World Cup Invitational was created by The Stronach Group as part of its effort to revitalize the sport of racing. New CEO Belinda Stronach, who took over her father’s role last fall said, “We think the Pegasus World Cup Invitational is a game-changing catalyst in our efforts to modernize this sport and to engage a whole new generation of fans.”
Bets can be made at Xpressbet.com, the official wagering platform of The Pegasus World Cup Invitational.
The race will be televised on NBC Sports with live coverage from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
In the meantime, get in the spirit by checking out these hilarious 13th Jockey clips, featuring comedian Jon Lovitz and Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor.
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