Tipsheet: 2022 Pegasus World Cup Turf

A fine field of 12 has been assembled for Saturday’s $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

Pegasus World Cup Turf  Picks

• #6 Colonel Liam
• #4 March to the Arch
• #5 Hit the Road
• #1 Space Traveller

Pegasus World Cup Turf Wagers

• $30 win and place 6
• $1 superfecta 6 with 1, 4, 5 with 1, 4, 5 with all

Pegasus World Cup Turf Contenders

#1 SPACE TRAVELLER adds blinkers for his fifth start since arriving in the states. The Brendan Walsh trainee has displayed a nice turn of foot in his U.S. performances, and if he moves forward with the hood on, he could easily challenge for a placing with a ground-saving trip. Jamie Spencer coming in to ride is a plus.

#2 ATONE checked in second in the recent Fort Lauderdale (G2) on the course for trainer Mike Maker. The Into Mischief five-year-old has solid form coming in, but he will need a lifetime best to challenge for a share late. Javier Castellano is in the irons.

#3 FLAVIUS makes his first start since being purchased at Keeneland in November. The son of War Front has good tactical speed, he received a nice post slot, and the Kentucky-bred could move up in his first start for Maker. Paco Lopez has the riding assignment.

#4 MARCH TO THE ARCH is a solid miler who will be able to negotiate nine panels on this course for trainer Mark Casse. The Live Oak homebred is a two-time winner on the Gulfstream Park turf, and he comes in with a big bullet drill at Palm Meadows in his latest morning breeze. The gelded son of Arch will be rallying from off the pace with Edwin Gonzalez riding at a big price.

#5 HIT THE ROAD made a big late run to be a close third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) in his latest endeavor. The Dan Blacker trainee is a high-class and consistent miler, and I expect the five-year-old to handle the added ground in his seasonal debut. Tyler Gaffalione will pilot the contender.

#6 COLONEL LIAM impressed with a tally in the race last campaign and gets the nod to repeat off the long layoff for Todd Pletcher. The gray son of Liam’s Map is five-for-seven on the green in his career, and the five-year-old still has room for improvement, being relatively lightly raced. Irad Ortiz will guide the imposing Kentucky-bred.

#7 DOSWELL has won or placed in each of his 11 career tries on the sod for Barclay Tagg, highlighted by a wire-to-wire victory in the Fort Lauderdale S. (G2) most recently. The talented seven-year-old loves the course, and he possesses the early foot to be in range from the outset. Junior Alvarado has the assignment.

#8 SACRED LIFE finished fourth in the race in 2021 and could go better this year with a career-best effort. The bay closed his six-year-old season in fine form, and he races for a fine layoff conditioner in Chad Brown. The one-run closer will have Jose Ortiz up.

#9 FIELD PASS capped 2021 with a tally in the Seabiscuit H. (G2) at Del Mar for Mike Maker. The Lemon Drop Kid five-year-old is one-for-one at Gulfstream Park and does some of his best work at this distance as well. The versatile Maryland-bred will stalk the pace to the top of the lane beneath Umberto Rispoli.

#10 CHANNEL CAT is a proven stayer who will take a major cutback in distance in this spot. The Jack Sisterson pupil will flash his customary early speed, but I don’t like his chances to quicken with the others at the top of the stretch.

#11 CROSS BORDER was third in the event last season at 1 3/16 miles, but he faces a taller task on Saturday while facing a deeper field from a tough post slot. The eight-year-old could make the frame with a perfect trip, but others entice me more.

#12 NEVER SURPRISED comes in with two straight dominant stakes wins for Todd Pletcher. The bay son of Constitution has never been worse than second from seven lifetime runs on the green, but he faces a big class hike from an awful post on Saturday. The swift colt will be forwardly placed from the start under the guidance of Luis Saez.