Meet the Contenders: 2023 Pegasus World Cup Turf
January 27th, 2023
Wit - ***
Wit wins the Better Talk Now Stakes (Photo by Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photos)
- Pro: Good showing in Hollywood Derby (G1) after chasing a slow pace.
- Con: Has raced exclusively in age-restricted events to this point.
Good Governance - **
- Pro: Dead-heat fourth in Ft. Lauderdale (G2) his best stakes finish in three years.
- Con: Seven-year-old has made only 10 lifetime starts.
Atone - ***
Atone wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Lauren King/Coglianese Photos)
- Pro: Solid fourth in this race last year and enters fresh.
- Con: Lost races last season to rivals that would be longer shots in this event.
Hurricane Dream - ****
- Pro: Group 2-placed three times in France and Germany last year.
- Con: Hasn’t raced in U.S. before and might find this distance a touch short.
One More Bid - *
One More Bid and jockey Ramon Vazquez, inside, win the Santa Anita Mathis Mile (Photo by Benoit Photo)
- Pro: Shocked Santa Anita Mathis Mile (G2) five weeks after belated maiden win.
- Con: Needs to improve several more lengths off back-to-back peak efforts.
Lady Speightspeare - **
Lady Speightspeare wins the Bessarabian Stakes (Michael Burns Photo)
- Pro: Excellent third in Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) behind classier rivals.
- Con: Has no experience facing graded stakes-quality males.
Speaking Scout - ***
Speaking Scout and jockey Juan Hernandez outleg Spycatcher and Wit to win the Hollywood Derby (Photo by Benoit Photo)
- Pro: Produced great kick to win Hollywood Derby despite a slow set-up.
- Con: Like Wit, has never raced outside his own age group yet.
Who’s the Star - ***
Who's the Star wins the 2022 Autumn Stakes (Photo by Michael Burns Photography)
- Pro: Dominant on synthetic in Canada late last year; has won two of three on turf.
- Con: Faces a significantly better class of horse in this race.
Decorated Invader - ***
Decorated Invader winning the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) at Saratoga - Photo by NYRA/Coglianese Photography
- Pro: Runner-up try in Ft. Lauderdale his best stakes try since his 3yo campaign.
- Con: Needs to run even better off last try to spring the upset.
Ivar - ****
Ivar winning the 2020 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Photography)
- Pro: Maintained G1 credentials last couple seasons despite sporadic appearances.
- Con: Top-class miler has had limited attempts at a distance this far.
Master Piece - ****
Master Piece morning workout (Photo by Coady Photography)
- Pro: Debuts for dangerous barn and this spot a better fit than Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
- Con: Closing type will need luck negotiating possible traffic.
City Man - ****
City Man wins the Fort Lauderdale Stakes (Photo by Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos)
- Pro: Strong campaign last term punctuated by solid win in Ft. Lauderdale.
- Con: Outside draw might hurt chances at securing ideal early position.
King Cause - **
King Cause wins the Knickerbocker Stakes (Photo by Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photos)
- Pro: First also-eligible might provide some needed pace if he gets in.
- Con: Well beaten over this course in two previous attempts.
Steady On - ***
- Pro: Lightly-raced colt has plenty of upside and barn has won this the last two years.
- Con: Needs a couple defections to draw in form also-eligible list.
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