The man in charge of Canada’s legal horse racing betting platform said there are two reasons he’s looking forward to Saturday’s $3 million (Grade 1) Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park in Florida.
HorsePlayer Interactive’s Klaus Ebner told PlayCanada via email the Pegasus World Cup has traditionally been a well-bet race in Canada.
Ebner, the senior manager of simulcasting and HPI services at the Woodbine Entertainment Group, said the race also falls at a time of year when thoroughbred handicappers have the least number of enticing events. There is no live thoroughbred racing in Canada in the winter.
“With there being a lull in the market at this time of year, (the Pegasus) certainly spices things up and gives the customer something to look forward to,” Ebner said, referring to marquee matchups and a quality day of racing.
Pegasus World Cup historical handle
Gulfstream’s complete Pegasus World Cup card has attracted over $200 million in total wagering in its first five years, counting all-sources handle.
All-sources handle on Pegasus World Cup card by year:
2017 — $40,217,924
2018 — $41,983,881
2019 — $37,786,967
2020 — $41,896,435
2021 — just over $40,700,000
Sir Winston a true Canadian hopeful
On Tuesday, Gulfstream drew post positions for this year’s Pegasus. Woodbine star Sir Winston will carry Canada’s hopes. The Mark Casse trainee used Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto as a launching pad to winning the 2019 Belmont, the third leg of the Triple Crown.
Last year, Woodbine was key to Sir Winston’s comeback after the horse had nearly a year off from the races. In four 2021 starts at Woodbine, Sir Winston won twice — including a victory in the Grade 3 Valedictory on Dec. 5 — and finished second in the other two outings. Lifetime, Sir Winston has pocketed $1,189,873. He earned $156,305 of that last year, racing exclusively at Woodbine.
Sir Winston drew post six in the nine-horse field and was installed as the fourth choice at 12-1 in the morning line odds. Edwin Gonzalez, 29, will ride him.
Pegasus World Cup draw
| Post | Horse | Morning Line |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Knicks Go | 6-5 |
| 2. | Chess Chief | 10-1 |
| 3. | Stilleto Boy | 20-1 |
| 4. | Life Is Good | 7-5 |
| 5. | Empty Tomb | 20-1 |
| 6. | Sir Winston | 12-1 |
| 7. | Title Ready | 20-1 |
| 8. | Endorsed | 20-1 |
| 9. | Commandeer | 30-1 |
Watch it, bet on it
You can watch and wager on the entire Pegasus card in Canada through HorsePlayer Interactive. In the US, TVG is a good option for punters.
The first-race post time for Saturday’s Gulfstream card is 11:30 a.m. (EST). The Pegasus World Cup will go off at approximately 5:45 p.m. NBC will televise the race live in North America from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST.
Past Pegasus World Cup winners
2017 — Arrogate
2018 — Gun Runner
2019 — City of Light
2020 — Mucho Gusto
2021 — Knicks Go
