By Mary Dixon
Over 15,000 people gathered at Gulfstream Park to witness the third edition of the 2019 Pegasus World Cup, the United States’ richest race. The rainy weather did not diminish the spirits of the crowd.
The 9 million dollar race attracted a competitive field including Breeders’ Cup winners City of Light and Accelerate, both horses racing in the last race of their careers. They both will ship from Florida to Lane’s End to go off to stud duties.
On a sloppy track, Patternrecognition went right to the lead followed by City of Light. Accelerate ran in fourth position with Seeking The Soul in last place.. The first half mile was run in 46.84. City of Light took the lead with Accelerate still in fourth position before making up some ground but never seriously threatening the leader, City of Light, who had Javier Castellano in the irons won easily by 5 lengths.
Seeking The Soul came in second. Newly crowned Eclipse best older horse of the year, Accelerate, settled for third while Bravazo finished fourth. The race was run in 1:47.71. The final odds on City of Light were 9/5 with a $5.80 payoff. He was the second choice to Accelerate. The win runs the score between these two rivals to City of Light two, Accelerate one. Trainer Dallas Stewart kept his hitting the board at huge prices streak going thanks to Seeking The Soul’s runner up placing.
Trainer Michael McCarthy choked back tears after the race and said,
“This horse was a gift…amazing!.”
The winner is owned by Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren Jr. who also had owned Saint Liam. The first two winners of The Pegasus were Breeders’ Cup Classic winners. This year the winner was fresh off a win in the Breeders’ Cup mile.
