The sixth running of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational is approaching on Jan. 29, 2022. You can expect the $3 million Grade 1 race to have a full field of 12 runners when they go to post at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.
Winners of last year’s event return for the two marquee races, with Knicks Go heading the list of Pegasus World Cup invitees for the 1/1-8 mile race. Last year’s $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf winner Colonel Liam is also returning to defend his title in the 1/1-8 mile race.
Both races are for horses aged 4 years and older and are invitation-only.
While NBC will carry the two races live on national TV from 4:30-6:00 p.m. EST, fans can check out all the races streamed on the NBC Sports App and NBCsports.com/live. Race fans can also watch and wager on TVG, with legal online betting available in more than 30 states. Top track announcer Pete Aiello will call all the races from Gulfstream Park, with post time for the Pegasus World Cup at 5:45 p.m. EST.
The Pegasus World Cup is the first major race this year ahead of the Triple Crown races, which start with the Kentucky Derby on May 7, 2022.
Pegasus World Cup odds 2022
The field will be finalized this week, but Knicks Go will be the race favorite when opening odds are released Tuesday, Jan. 25, following the 1:30 post draw streamed live on the Pegasus World Cup page.
Be sure to check back during the week for updates on opening odds and other Pegasus World Cup news.
| Post | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knicks Go | 6-5 | Joel Rosario | Brad Cox |
| 2 | Classic Chief | 10-1 | Mario Gutierrez | Todd Pletcher |
| 3 | Stilleto Boy | 20-1 | Kent Desormeaux | Ed. Moger Jr. |
| 4 | Life Is Good | 7-5 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher |
| 5 | Empty Tomb | 20-1 | Paco Lopez | Robert Falcone Jr. |
| 6 | Sir Winston | 12-1 | Edwin Gonzalez | Mark Casse |
| 7 | Title Ready | 20-1 | Tyler Gaffalione | Dallas Stewart |
| 8 | Endorsed | 20-1 | Umberto Rispoli | Mike Maker |
| 9 | Commandeer | 30-1 | Julien Leparoux | James Toner |
The galloping gray Knicks Go fired a “bullet” workout in his final breeze at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans on Jan. 23. He timed in 1:00.40, the fastest of 57 workouts recorded at the five-furlong distance. Trainer Brad Cox said, “He breezed good, and we’re really happy with him as he continues to train extremely well. He definitely hasn’t regressed since the Breeders’ Cup.”
Knicks Go ships to Gulfstream Park on Jan. 24, and the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner is expected to get his most significant challenges from fellow front-runner and 2021 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Life Is Good and 2019 Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston.
Life Is Good has been stabled at Palm Meadows Downs since mid-December. He’s been working steadily toward his 4-year-old debut and breezed five furlongs in 1:00.36 on Jan. 15. Trainer Todd Pletcher says, “He’s very talented and an extremely impressive horse to watch train. He seems to be every bit as good or better than he was going into the Breeders’ Cup.”
Three favorites have won the Pegasus World Cup in five editions, including Arrogate in 2017 in the fastest time of 1:46.83 when winning by nearly 5 lengths.
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Pegasus World Cup turf odds 2022
Colonel Liam, the 2021 winner of this 1/1-8-mile race, will have Irad Ortiz Jr. riding when he shoots to repeat on his return from a nearly eight-month layoff.
The invitational list and entries for the Pegasus Turf race include 12 horses:
- Space Traveller (12-1)
- Atone (20-1)
- Flavius (15-1)
- March to the Arch (20-1)
- Hit the Road (8-1)
- Colonel Liam (3-1)
- Doswell (10-1)
- Sacred Life (6-1)
- Field Pass (10-1)
- Channel Cat (12-1)
- Cross Border (10-1)
- Never Surprised (7-1)
Pegasus World Cup day races
Pegasus World Cup Day features seven graded-stakes races on the 12-race card.
| Race | Distance | Purse |
|---|---|---|
| Pegasus World Cup | 1/1-8 miles dirt | $3 million |
| Pegasus World Cup Turf | 1/1-8 miles, turf | $1 million |
| Filly and Mare Turf | 1/1-6 miles | $500,000 |
| Inside Information | 7 furlongs | $200,000 |
| William McKnight | 1/1-2 miles | $200,000 |
| La Prevoyante | 1/1-2 miles | $150,000 |
| Fred Hooper | 1 mile | $150,000 |
