IT’S PEGASUS DAY! – Watch on NBC at 4:30 – place some bets on HPIBET/com, Thoroughblog picks below..
SEMPER FORTIS and the PEGASUS statue – Vanessa Ng photo from horse-races.net
Whether you are cheering for CALIFORNIA CHROME, the people’s horse are you are convinced that ARROGATE is the next superstar and simply has Chrome’s number, it is going to be one of the greatest spectacles in horse racing history – $12 million Pegasus World Cup.
California Chrome will be retired to stud right after the race and the tricky part is that he must overcome the 12 post at 9 furlongs at Gulfstream – not a good post. From posts 9 to 12 at Gulfstream in recent years the rate of winning is in the 7% range.
But the horses directly inside of Chrome will not have speed and Chrome should probably be able to get a reasonably good path by the first turn.
THOROUGHBLOG says the pace will be set by NOBLE BIRD, who must have the lead to win. He could be loose on the lead – he has run a 110 and 109 Beyer Figures when he steals away. I don’t think he will steal away in this race but his speed is very dangerous at this distance.
CALIFORNIA CHROME is the pick to win. The amazing 6-year-old should be able to sit a catbird trip in 3rd or 4th behind the speed. He can turn the tables on ARROGATE, who has is actually a DOUBLE ADVANTAGE Beyer Figure horse (120 -122) – his last 2 Beyer Figures are better than anything anyone else has run.
It is tough to separate the top two.
But, crazier things have happened so here are the longshots to consider in trifectas..
NOBLE BIRD – freaky horse if he gets clear on the lead.
WAR STORY, SHAMAN GHOST, KEEN ICE, BREAKING LUCKY are the fillers.
1 – CALIFORNIA CHROME
2 – ARROGATE
3 – WAR STORY
XBTV.COM debates the race in this great 30 minute show…
