PEGASUS WORLD CUP - RUNNERS AND RIDERS - CJRFANTASY

Crown Jewels Racing Fantasy (CJRF) is back, and better than ever! We’ve listened to your feedback and spent months burrowed away in development to improve all aspects of the game – from registration to gameplay to prizing – bringing you the best user experience possible. We kick off the year on Saturday 25th January in Miami, USA for the Pegasus World Cup, a $3 million Group 1 over 1m1f for horses aged four or older. The favourite is Locked, winner of three out of six starts including the Group 1 Breeders’ Futurity. Trainer Todd Pletcher won the Pegasus in 2022 with Life is Good and looks to have a strong chance with this son of Gun Runner, the 2018 Pegasus victor. However, he will face a stacked field full of experience, which includes the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio and 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, amongst other established Group 1 horses. The race is set to be a classic, and certainly one to keep an eye on with many of the runners likely to be entered at other CJRF events later in the year.

In order of XP:

Locked (10 XP) – an interesting contender, being a four-year-old with only six races to date. Has shown significant ability in those though, winning three and including the G1 Breeders’ Futurity in November 2023. Was off the track for 400 days before reappearing with a G2 victory at Aqueduct in December, so should be primed to go close here.

White Abarrio (15 XP) – high-level performer with three G1 victories to his name, including the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Appeared to have regressed in 2024 with disappointing performances in the Saudi Cup and G1 Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan Handicap, but showed more positive signs when 2nd of 10 in a G3 at Gulfstream in December. Has a bit to prove now but is the class act if rediscovering his spark.

Saudi Crown (25 XP) – winner of the G1 Pennsylvania Derby in 2023, but yet to reach those heights since. Ran respectably to finish 3rd of 14 in the 2024 Saudi Cup but well beaten when tackling G1 company again in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in November. Last seen winning a Listed race in December 2024, which shows the fire still burns, but will need to improve again to take this. Trainer Brad Cox won the Pegasus in 2021 with Knicks Go.

Mystik Dan (40 XP) – 2024 Kentucky Derby winner who hasn’t kicked on since. Performed with credit in the 2024 Preakness Stakes soon after but struggled in the Belmont Stakes, before a 201-day break. Reappeared in December with a last-place finish in the G1 Malibu Stakes, so has it all to prove now.

Stronghold (60 XP) – heads to the Pegasus in steady form, with three second-place finishes in a row in 2024 in the Indiana Derby (G3), Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and Malibu Stakes (G1). However, his victory in the G1 Santa Anita Derby in April 2024 and 7th in the 2024 Kentucky Derby should make him a contender here.

Skippylongstocking (60 XP) – last seen finishing 6th of 13 in the 2024 G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Appears to fall short in G1 races, but he has plenty of recent graded stakes victories in races like the Charles Town Classic (G2), Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and Challenger Stakes (G3), so should put up a good fight here.

Mixto (100 XP) – won the Pacific Classic Stakes in September, his only G1 victory to date. Struggled in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in November but this race is weaker, and he has world-renowned jockey Frankie Dettori on board.

Crupi (100 XP) – finished 3rd in this race last year and held solid form throughout 2024, winning the G2 Suburban Stakes and back-to-back second-place finishes in the G2 Brooklyn Stakes and G1 Whitney Stakes. If he can replicate last year’s run, he could be overpriced at a big XP.

Power Squeeze (100 XP) – four-year-old filly who enjoyed a busy and productive 2024, winning five of nine races, including the G1 Alabama Stakes. Off the track for 96 days prior to a respectable reappearance run in a Listed contest at Gulfstream last month (2nd of 5), so should be fit and raring to go, and is not without a chance here.

Newgrange (125 XP) – lightly-raced six-year-old with five wins to his name, including back-to-back races in December 2023 (G2) and January 2024 (G2). Last seen finishing last of five in a G2 in July and has since changed trainers, so unsure what to expect on this return to the track after 180 days off.

Steal Sunshine (165 XP) – a regular at Gulfstream Park but with only one win to his name: the G2 Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes in March 2024. Has competed exclusively in Group races since but to no avail, so looks up against it here.

Vitality (330 XP) – the rank outsider of the field, having had only two career starts to date. Finished 6th of 12 in the King’s Plate Stakes at Woodbine first time out, before warming up for this with another sixth-place finish in the G3 Harlan's Holiday Stakes. Would be a shock to see him make the frame here but, being so lightly-raced, he could be anything.

Trends:

·         Age – no horse older than six has won the race.

·         Draw – middle draws are favoured, with 5 of the last 8 winners drawn in gates 4-8.

·         Solid favourites – 5 of the last 8 favourites justified their favouritism.

·         Last run – all previous winners of the contest were coming off a break of 77 - 119 days.

·         Back Baffert – trainer Bob Baffert leads the way with three PWC victories, in 2017, 2020 and 2024.

·         Irad to go close – Irad Ortiz Jr. is the most successful PWC jockey, securing two victories in 2020 and 2022.

CJRF Tip:

1st – Locked                                                                     

2nd – Stronghold

3rd – Saudi Crown

Ends