Pegasus World Cup Study Guide

A field of 10 will go postward in the highlight on a huge day of racing at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. The $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) attracted a well-matched field that will travel 1 1/8 miles on the dirt in the lucrative contest.

Here is the cast after #5 Omaha Beach and #9 Spun to Run were scratched:

#1 TRUE TIMBER

Career Racing Stats: 22-4-4-7, $950,550

Top BRIS Speed rating (109) in 2018 Cigar Mile (G1) second

Status: Exotics contender

Pros: Inside post, versatile running style

Cons: Winless in seven straight , unplaced in three at the distance

Prediction: Mineshaft 6-year-old will be in the hunt for a minor award late.

#2 TAX

Career Racing Stats: 10-3-3-1, $828,300

Top BRIS Speed rating (103) in 2018 Remsen (G2) third

Status: Win contender

Pros: Distance specialist, training in fine fashion

Cons: Unplaced in trio of Grade 1 attempts, unproven on the surface

Prediction: Gelding will be in striking range inside the final furlong.

#3 DIAMOND OOPS

Career Racing Stats: 12-5-2-1, $646,490

Top BRIS Speed rating (106) when second in 2019 A.G. Vanderbilt (G1)

Status: Exotics contender

Pros: 5-for-6 at Gulfstream, sharp prep win on the surface

Cons: Has never run 1 1/8 miles, no factor at a mile two back

Prediction: Hard-trying gelding will flatten out late after making a solid middle move to reach contention.

#4 SEEKING THE SOUL

Career Racing Stats: 31-7-6-7, $3,420,153

Top BRIS Speed rating (108) in 2018 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) second

Status: Longshot

Pros: Second in race last season, could get fast pace to rally into

Cons: Poor current form, might have peaked in 2019

Prediction: Late runner will pass horses belatedly from the back of the pack.

#6 HIGHER POWER

Career Racing Stats: 15-5-1-6, $1,376,648

Top BRIS Speed rating (110) in 2019 Pacific Classic (G1) tally

Status: Win contender

Pros: Excellent form, swift morning drills

Cons: Unfamiliar with surface, could be overbet

Prediction: Potential favorite will make a four-wide move to duel for the lead at the top of the lane.

#7 WAR STORY

Career Racing Stats: 38-8-7-5, $2,984,996

Top BRIS Speed rating (109) in 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic

Status: Exotics contender

Pros: Great local prep, room to improve second off the layoff

Cons: Inconsistent, unproven at the level

Prediction: Stalker will be well placed but unable to quicken inside the final furlong.

#8 MR FREEZE

Career Racing Stats: 10-4-3-1, $639,110

Top BRIS Speed rating (107) in 2018 West Virginia Derby (G3) score

Status: Win Contender

Pros: Early speed, picks up Saez

Cons: Unraced on the oval, class question mark

Prediction: Chestnut will force the pace from the start and fight gamely to the finish

#10 MUCHO GUSTO

Career Racing Stats: 10-5-2-2, $779,800

Top BRIS Speed rating (104) in 2019 Travers (G1) third

Status: Win contender

Pros: Early speed, excellent recent workouts

Cons: Unraced since September, unknown at Gulfstream Park

Prediction: Baffert trainee will take command early and fight until the finish under Irad.

#11 TENFOLD

Career Racing Stats: 15-4-0-1, $968,390

Top BRIS Speed rating (100) in 2019 Pacific Classic (G1) fourth

Status: Longshot

Pros: Connections, turn of foot

Cons: Unplaced in four straight, overall class

Prediction: Asmussen pupil will take back early and find his best stride too late.

#12 BODEXPRESS

Career Racing Stats: 10-2-3-1, $264,000

Top BRIS Speed rating (105) in allowance win at Gulfstream Park West

Status: Win Contender

Pros: Running style, affinity for the surface

Cons: Post position, lack of a win at the level

Prediction: Upset contender will have his nose in front turning for home.

Pegasus World Cup Wager

$1 Trifecta: 2,6,12 with 2,6,10,12 with all ($72)