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Held in Gulfstream Park, Florida, the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes is named after the Greek mythical horse, a statue of which stands at the park. And in only five years, the race has easily positioned itself as the premier sport in South Florida.
The Pegasus World Cup is nationally televised on NBC, plus it is distributed globally. Because of this, the race attracts many avid fans, influencers, celebrities, and fashion icons to catch a glimpse of the sport.
What’s more, Pegasus continues to draw the best entertainment and racing with historic wins from some of the most distinguished and renowned names in horse racing.
Arrogate (2017)
In 2017, the Pegasus World Cup was deemed to be the richest horse ever staged with a $12 million purse. And the winning horse who got away with the massive $7 million was Arrogate.
The Pegasus World Cup’s real plot was the two-horse showdown between rival champions Arrogate and California Chrome. However, Arrogate turns the race into a one-horse show, adding to his impressive triumph over California Chrome in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. California Chrome finished ninth and was later found with fluid in his right knee.
Arrogate and jockey Mike Smith was dominant in the inaugural running of the Pegasus. The colt was just simply superior to the other horses in the race. Arrogate paid $2.20 to show, $2.80 to place, and $3.80 to win.
Moreover, his official time in the win was 1 minute and 47 seconds.
Gun Runner (2018)
2018’s betting favorite Gun Runner won the second running of the Pegasus World Cup, beating West Coast. The colt went off as an even favorite from the challenging-to-win-from number ten position.
Even so, he got a glorious start and raced over to catch up with the early leader Collected. As Gun Runner powered through, he pulled away and won the event at 1:47:41. The 2018 Pegasus World Cup win means that Gun Runner won his career’s last five horse racing events.
West Coast took second place, followed by Gunnevera, Fear the Cowboy, Seeking the Soul, Stellar Wind, Collected, Sharp Azteca, Giant Expectations, War Story, Singing Bullet, and Toast of New York.
Additionally, Gun Runner retired with a whopping record of 19 races, 12 wins, three second-place wins, and two third-place wins. Also, the $7 million shares of the Pegasus race purse brought his total earnings to $16 million.
City of Light (2019)
Jockey Javier Castellano and City of Light ran away with a $4 million prize from the field to win the Pegasus World Cup. The colt’s unbelievable speed, dimension, and pounce made the trip to the finish line look effortless.
According to jockey Castellano, the horse did everything to win the race. The colt went off from post three, and Castellano put the pedal to the metal to send him to the front, guiding the horse behind Patternrecognition, the early leader of the race.
Then, they settled in to strut the pace, wanting to save energy for the fight to the finish. Approaching the stretch, City of Light ran all his might to the finish line. His final time in the race was 1:47:71.
Mucho Gusto (2020)
Mucho Gusto, trained by Bob Baffert, won the 2020 Pegasus World Cup with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. He is the second horse trained by Bob Baffert to win the race after his horse Arrogate won the first running of the Pegasus in 2017.
The colt was very dominant in the race, leaving from post number eight. Mucho Gusto accelerated, trailing behind Mr. Freeze and Bodexpress. But when he found another gear, the horse surged forward, overtaking Bodexpress and Mr. Freeze, respectively.
From thereon, Mucho Gusto increased his lead and headed to the finish line quickly. According to jockey Ortiz, Mucho Gusto got an impressive start and was relaxed. That’s why they were able to win the race. His official time in the win was 1:48.85.
Knicks Go (2021)
Knicks Go took the early lead in the race with jockey Joel Rosario aboard. Trainer Brad Cox is very proud of Knicks Go’s win, considering how the colt transformed from a horse who could not win to a horse who cannot lose since he settled into the trainer’s barn in 2020.
The 2021 pegasus post position of the horse is at number four. What’s more, his final time in the race was 1:47.89. Knicks Go’s win is even more lucrative as he received an automatic spot in the Saudi Cup.
Final Thoughts
The Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes is the top horse racing event in South Florida, blending innovation and entertainment like no other. That’s why many fans and celebrities look forward to this premier event every year. Not only that, but the horse racing event has also had the most historic wins in the industry.
