On Saturday, Gulfstream Park runs two of the most prestigious races of the year. The first is the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational. The second is the Pegasus World Cup. Combined, the two races offer a purse of $4 million, $1 million for the Turf Invitational and $3 million for the World Cup. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, January 23rd. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Horse Racing Odds & Picks for January 23rd Races
Pegasus World Cup Saturday
- When: Saturday, January 23
Santa Anita Park – Saturday, January 23
- Grade 2 Palos Verdes Handicap – 6 furlongs dirt – $200,000
Although all eyes will be on Gulfstream Park, horseplayers should take a look at the Palos Verdes Handicap at Santa Anita. The race should be fantastic. Collusion Illusion, Ax Man, and Wildman Jack should all run. So should Captain Scotty, the 2020 Palos Verdes winner.
Gulfstream Park – Saturday, January 23
- Grade 3 William L. McKnight – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $150,000
Admission Office, Sadler’s Joy, Tide of the Sea, Doswell, and Successandsurpass are just a few of the turf runners likely heading to the William L. McKnight Handicap on January 23. As with most of the Pegasus World Cup undercard races, the William L. McKnight showcases talented runners across the board.
- Grade 3 La Prevoyante – 1 ¼ miles turf – $150,000
Christophe Clement could saddle a couple in the La Prevoyante. Both Traipsing and Sorrel will get looks. So will Cap de Creus from the Todd Pletcher bar and the Bill Mott trained Delta’s Kingdom.
- Grade 3 Marshua’s River – 1 mile turf – $150,000
Barclay Tagg has pointed My Charmer winner Niko’s Dream to this race. Niko will face strong competitors like Our Bay B Ruth, Vigalante’s Way, Lovely La La, and Evil Lyn.
- Grade 3 Fred W. Hooper – 1 mile dirt – $150,000
Cigar Mile third place winner Performer hopes to get back on the winning track in the Grade 3 Fred W. Hooper. Trainer Mark Casse will likely saddle Dream Maker. At this point, Dream Maker should offer second choice odds while Performer could be odds on.
- Grade 2 Inside Information – 7 furlongs dirt – $200,000
The Grade 2 Inside Information is named after the champion mare sprinter. For her namesake race on Saturday, Brad Cox Cinnabunny looks like the obvious choice. Before dumping on the chalk, make sure to handicap, though. Cinnabunny finished third in the Sugar Swirl as the favorite in her last.
- Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf – 1 3/16 miles turf – $1,000,000
Both the Pegasus World Cup and the World Cup Turf are by invitation only. Todd Pletcher will have three in the Turf Invitational, Colonel Liam, Largent, and Social Paranoia. Chad Brown has two, Greyes Creek and Analyze It. Mike Maker’s Cross Border figures to get some looks as will McGaughey trained North Dakota. As you might expect, horseplayers will have to spend time handicapping to find the Pegasus World Cup Turf winner.
- Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup – 1 1/8 miles dirt – $3,000,000
One of the richest races of the year, the Pegasus World Cup always attracts top runners. Code of Honor and Knicks Go will go off the favorites because Bob Baffert won’t run Charlatan. But Code of Honor faces a strong field. Tax won the Grade 3 Harlan’s Holiday. Kiss Today Goodbye won the Grade 2 San Antonio and Sleepy Eyes Todd won the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector. If Honor and Knicks get pounded at the windows, Tax, Kiss, and Sleepy will go off at overlay odds.
Have a great week!
