Anthony Fontaine has attacked the entire Pegasus World Cup card using Equibase products and data. He provides his selections and reasoning on all the races on this big card.
Race One Selections: 4-11-1-12
#4 Sister Hanan morphed into a different horse once introduced to the lawn and has given two solid efforts on the surface. Runner appears well spotted and another step forward can see this runner make another trip to the winners’ enclosure.
#11 Silver Kitten lit up the tote board in the maiden score last out according to Equibase results. Runner may have figured the game out and another step forward at a nice price is not out of the equation in this race. #1 Equal Measure comes off a layoff and appears spotted to make a solid run in this spot. Rider is one of the best however with Omaha Beach scratching I sincerely doubt he makes the trip from California. None the less this horse deserves consideration in this event
Race Two Selections: 8-5-3-1
#8 Holy Emperor debuts for trainer that is not known to have his runners fully cranked in their debuts, however this one belongs to the owners of the track, has sparkled in morning works, and trainer lit up the tote board last week with a surprise winner. All things being equal, not the worst stab as a debut runner.
#5 Tons of Gold has run well in the past and held for a slice, however runner seems allergic to the winner’s circle. This spot is as good as any if runner is good enough to break through, and rider is one of the best and Tons Of Gold has decent Equibase speed figures. Will give due consideration in this event. #3 Candy Tycoon gave a solid effort last out and tired a bit late. The number came back slow and although this one appears a hard trying sort, prefer others in the top slots today.
Race Three Selections: 2-1-5-6
#2 Texas Wedge invades from the west seeking riches in this sprint event. Runner does his best when stalking the speed and pouncing late and with this lineup should get all the pace needed to close and have a say in the outcome.
#1 Shekky Shabazz is the class of this group and may be just too tough to handle today. Consistent sort always gives a good effort and expect another solid race today. #5 Fielder is another runner that would benefit tremendously from a speed duel up front. Rider should have an optimal set up and if good enough have a say in the outcome
Race Four Selections: 11-9-4-10
#11Precise Dancer has worked well for the debut and the presence of Irad in the saddle indicates this one is spotted for action today. Trainer has good numbers first out and expect a good performance.
#9 Unconquered Lea ran a good race first out and should benefit exponentially from the experience. Has trained forwardly since the debut and should be ready for another solid effort. Leading West ran well off a short layoff last out and will look to build off that effort. #4 Sea Trident appears a sneaky entrant as trainer has two entered. Castellano is no stranger to the winners circle and although the works are not sparkling this one can slip away at a nice price and upset the applecart.
Race Five Selections: 6-2-5-7
#6 Moonlight Romance gets back to sprinting on the lawn, where this runner excelled as a juvenile and made the bulk of her bankroll. Has been training forwardly for this event and Johnny Velazquez did not take the mount for exercise. Do not ignore today.
#2 Girls Know Best has failed to deliver a victory in the last three events while taking tons of cash on the win end. Runner will be tough in this spot however the projected short price does not inspire confidence. #5 Jean Elizabeth is a speedy sort that tries hard every time. Runner has shown grit and determination and expect another good effort today.
Race Six, The South Beach Selections: 6-5-11-3
#6 Mitchell Road appears to tower over this field. Speedy filly will need to avoid going too fast early or getting involved in a duel. Price will not be appealing however classy sort looks formidable in this spot.
#5 Devant makes the all-important 3rd start off a layoff and would appreciate some pace to close into. Trainer is having a banner meet and has been spotting his runners judiciously so do not ignore today. #11 Romantic Moment is another runner that would not be upset to see many dueling upfront as this girl loves to close late. Rider is one of the best in the country and is very adept at working out good trips. Another that can have a say in the outcome at the nice price.
Race Seven, The Fred Hooper Selections: 10-8-13-7
#10 Gray Magician appears ready for a stake breakout in this event. Runner was over his head in last event and this field appears a better fit. This horse may also be overlooked at the window, so the price is right to take a swing today.
#8 Free Enterprise has never run a bad race, but the waters are deeper today. Horse appears ready to take the plunge into stake company and should be competitive in this event. #13 Chewing Gum will have to overcome a tough post however this one has shown ability and is a consistent sort so deserves consideration in this event.
Race Eight, The La Prevoyante Selections: 2-9-7-4
#2 Simply Beautiful appears a nice runner that tries hard, however one victory in fifteen starts does not get the pulse racing. This is not the toughest stake group assembled and if runner can avoid traffic should best these.
#9 Raining Lemons had a wide trip last outing which may have prevented this runner from a better effort. Looking for an improved trip and a better result today. #7 War Cabinet may not have appreciated being on the inside in last race and will can give a better effort if rider can work out a better trip today.
Race Nine, The Inside Information Selections: 11-5-7-4
#11 Pink Sands will need some pace to run at and avoid traffic, but this runner closes relentlessly and if a speed duel materializes look for this one to pick up the pieces.
#5 Blamed is coming back from a long layoff but has been working well and has run well off a layoff in the past. This one is a serious runner that has good speed and shows grit in the lane. Conditioning would be the only apprehension, but Hall of Fame conditioner should have her primed for a good performance. #7 Spiced Perfection was able to waltz around the track last race on a leisurely stroll without a modicum of pressure applied and had more than enough in the tank to hold off that field. Today the scenario will be different, and I have tons of respect for this runner however I will not take a short price on a horse I feel may be vulnerable in this spot for the win.
Race Ten, The William McKnight Selections: 10-1-5-7
#10 Temple had a very wide trip last race and rallied late for a slice. Rider will need to workout a better ground saving trip today and if able to do so this one can surprise at a nice price.
#1 Red Knight is a consistent closer that would benefit from a fast pace. If rider can save ground and avoid traffic can have a major impact in this race. #5 Salute the Colonel is in good form right now and may be able to stay on for a share with a good trip. Another runner in this competitive race that deserves consideration looking back at his Equibase race results.
Race Eleven, The Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Selections: 2-12-1-3
#2 Arklow may have felt the effects of a strong run at Belmont and did not give an optimal performance in the Breeders Cup Turf. Trainer Cox is very adept at bring his charges back ready to run off layoffs and this runner looks poised for today’s effort.
#12 Magic Wand is a world traveling international superstar that has earned a lot of cash and appears to tower over this field on Equibase speed figures alone. The major drawback for this nice mare is the post position that is not ideal for this trip. Rider is one of the world’s best and may overcome the post however the price will not be attractive and although I will include in multi-race exotics, the fact this horse has only won 3 races from 22 outings does not inspire a lot of confidence. #1 Zulu Alpha has shown an affinity for this course and always seems to give a good performance every race. Consistent sort may get ideal trip and rider is very adroit at placing mounts in an optimal spot to give their best effort.
Race Twelve, The Pegasus World Cup Selections: 6-4-2-10
#6 Higher Power needs to break cleanly and establish himself on or near the pace. If this runner can overcome his penchant of breaking slowly can wire this star depleted field.
#4 Seeking the Soul had a nice runner up performance in this event last year according to Equibase. If my top choice does not break sharply and a duel develops up front look for this runner to swoop by everyone late. #2 Tax is a consistent hard trying sort that may move forward in the 4 year old campaign. The horse that beat him in the Discovery is an up and coming unbeaten star and this runner may best this field with a good trip.
