Hanson: Betting the Pegasus World Cup Late Pick 5

Outside of the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup, the Pegasus World Cup Day program at Gulfstream Park is one of America's biggest betting race days. For example, all-sources handle on the 2024 program was more than $47 million.

The Late Pick 5 on Saturday's 2025 edition is advertised to have an estimated pool of $2.5 million and will be one of the wagers I'll focus on. Here's how I'll be playing it.

Pick 5 Wager

The 50-cent ticket: 1,3 with 1,11 with 2,8,9 with 3,6,7 with 2,11 = $36

Race 9: William L. McKnight (G3), 3:13 p.m. ET

A full, contentious field for this 1 1/2-mile turf event for older horses. #1 Limited Liability (3-1) is a logical threat based on his recent form with Frankie Dettori in the saddle, and no shame stablemate Integration was the only one better than him in the Red Smith (G2) last time.

Trainer Mike Maker has won five of the last seven runnings of the McKnight, and his #3 Cathkin Peak (20-1) is a potential sleeper at a price. He coasted in the restricted John's Call S. at Saratoga in his debut for the barn last summer, but he wasn't as effective in his next two, especially after setting too fast a pace in the Sycamore (G3). If allowed to set a more measured tempo here, he could stick around a while. His recent works are encouraging, too.

Race 10: Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2), 3:45 p.m. ET

This is another situation where I could see early speed doing well, namely #1 Raqiya (4-1). Dettori put her on the lead in the Goldikova (G3) at Del Mar on Breeders' Cup weekend and the English import made all in that U.S. debut while defeating next-out Matriarch (G1) winner #10 Sacred Wish.

#11 Bless My Stars (8-1) improved position late after a difficult trip in her U.S. debut, the Suwannee River (G3) on Dec. 21. She was a top-level quality mare in her native South Africa and figures to move forward while giving Todd Pletcher another solid contender along with Raqiya.

Race 11: Inside Information (G2), 4:20 p.m. ET

#2 Nic's Style (5-1) is hard to knock thus far, having won five of six. Her lone setback was her only prior graded attempt, and that was a clear second in the Gallant Bloom (G2) to Ways and Means. #8 Olivia Darling (4-1) is the defending titlist in this race and will appreciate the likely hot pace, while #9 Emery (3-1) is a consistent up-and-comer who should get one of the first cracks from a stalking position.

Race 12: Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), 4:55 p.m. ET

#3 Mi Hermano Ramon (8-1) enters with strong Southern California form, including a close second to Eclipse Award finalist Johannes in the San Gabriel (G2) last month. Logical threat if he carries that ability across the country.

#6 Major Dude (6-1) is a horse for the course and was on the scene in time to land the local prep, the Fort Lauderdale (G2), by a neck. #7 Nations Pride (2-1) is the obvious class with Grade/Group 1 wins in three countries, but wonder if nine furlongs will be a bit sharp for him.

Race 13: Pegasus World Cup (G1), 5:40 p.m. ET

#2 Saudi Crown (9-2) does tend to flop at inopportune times (e.g. Breeders' Cup, Dubai), but he seems worth the risk of including on this ticket, given his general class, inside draw, and the likelihood he'll be prominent for much of this journey.

#11 Locked (5-2) didn't draw great, but showed in the Cigar Mile (G2) last time that he might have enjoyed an even more fruitful three-year-old campaign if not for being sidelined for much of it. The morning line favorite clearly has the most upside of anyone in the field and the added distance doesn't figure to be a hindrance.