One of the most eagerly anticipated early showdowns of the year comes from Gulfstream Park this weekend, as the G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes will see Breeders’ Cup heroes Knicks Go and Life Is Good clash. A stacked card at the track also sees a further six graded races, which gamblers will be able to wager on with the top horse racing betting sites online.
Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes- Grade 1
There’s no doubting the race of the weekend, as Knicks Go and Life Is Good do battle over 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream on Saturday. Cases can clearly be made for both the last two winners of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
Life Is Good was the most recent winner of the race, as he stormed back onto the scene with a comprehensive victory at Del Mar for trainer Todd Pletcher. It was the perfect close to the season after there would have been disappointment that he wasn’t able to run in the Triple Crown races. An incredible record of five wins in six, with victories in four graded contests just highlights how special this horse can be on his day.
However, we will not be taking on the defending champion this weekend, as Knicks Go looked better than ever when beating Essential Quality, Medina Spirit and Hot Rod Charlie in the Classic. He comes into this race having won his last four, which also includes the G1 Whitley. Gulfstream is effectively a home game for the Brad Cox-trained horse, and we just can’t see anyone living with his pace. Stilleto Boy gets the vote for third, after finishing fifth in the Classic, and second behind Medina Spirit in the G1 Awesome Again.
Pick: 1- Knicks Go 2- Life Is Good 3- Stilleto Boy
Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes- Grade 1
The other Grade 1 on the card this weekend is the very competitive Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes. It looks a high-class renewal of this contest, with all 12 involved having at least a chance of victory this weekend.
Colonel Liam is likely to go off very short after winning this race 12 months ago. But, there is serious concern based on his eighth in the G1 Manhattan Stakes back in June. This is his return after that long break, and there is not much evidence to suggest that he will go well fresh in this company.
Instead, it could come down to a fight between old rivals Field Pass and Sacred Life. The latter got the better of his rival in the G3 Knickerbocker Stakes, while Field Pass gained revenge in the G2 Seabiscuit.
However, the fact that this is over 1 1/8 miles could be significant, as Field Pass was weakening over that shorter distance last time out. For that reason, we would side with Sacred Life. Never Surprised should also go well for Todd Pletcher, while Hit The Road is always a dangerous contender over this distance.
Pick- Sacred Life
Other Pegasus World Cup Weekend Picks
| La Prevoyante Stakes | Always Shopping |
| W. L. McKnight Stakes | Glynn County |
| Inside Information Stakes | Dance d’Oro |
| Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf | Nicest |
| Fred Hooper Stakes | Fearless |
