We are only halfway through January and one of the richest horse races of the year in the US takes place this Saturday afternoon as part of Gulfstream Park’s daily card. The 2021 Pegasus World Cup brings together the some of the best in thoroughbred racing.

Represented by the best trainers in the game, as many as 12 world class Thoroughbreds are expected to compete for the lion’s share of this seven-figure prize pool.

2021 Pegasus World Cup

Where: Gulfstream Park

South Florida is the site of this $3 million Grade 1 stakes race. Open to Thoroughbreds four and older, this year’s field is deep in both size and talent. Racing on the dirt track at Gulfstream, this event covers 1 1/8 miles in total distance.

While the final field is still taking shape, Horse Racing Nation has listed 12 contenders as probable for Saturday’s main event.

It appears that everyone will be chasing Knicks Go as the set favorite to win. The actual post positions have yet to be drawn along with the accompanying morning line odds, however this five-year old Maryland-bred horse has the highest HRN rating in the projected field at 7.68.

Trained by Brad Cox, the son of Paynter is coming off a huge victory in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. He covered that distance in 1:33.85 on the dirt track at Keeneland on Nov. 7. This horse appears to bet getting stronger with age after a few disappointing runs earlier in his career.

The biggest competition for the top prize should come from trainer Shug McGaughey’ Code of Honor. This five-year old Kentucky-bred horse closed out last year’s campaign with a second- place finish in the Grade 1 Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27.

Through five graded events in 2020, the son of Noble Mission placed in the money four times. This includes a victory in the Grade 3 Westchester Stakes at Belmont last June. His most memorable run was in the 2019 Kentucky Derby when he placed second behind Country House.

Another likely contender that should remain right in the mix of this year’s World Cup is True Timber with a HRN rating of 7.41. This would be one of the older Thoroughbreds in the field if trainer Jack Sisterson gives the seven-year old the green light to run.

Sired by Mineshaft, he proved that there is still plenty of gas in the tank with a victory in the 2020 Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 5. He covered the mile on dirt in 1:36.49 past Snapper Sinclair and Performer. That was his fourth finish in the Top 3 over his past five events.

Another solid contender listed as probable for Saturday is trainer Miguel Silva’s Sleepy Eyes Todd. This five-year old horse caught bettor’s eyes by winning last year’s Grade 3 Mr. Prospector Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 19. This followed a victory in the ungraded Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland the previous month.

Sired by Paddy O-Prado, this Kentucky-bred contender adds value to his likely longer odds with four winning runs in his last six events dating back to April of last year.

Rounding out the top contenders listed as probable on the early entry list are Jesus’ Team and Tax.

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