Via Christina Bossinakis
HALLANDALE, FL — In the draw following Tuesday’s Pegasus World Cup Invitational at the Sports Theater of Kings in Gulfstream Park on Tuesday, the stage was set for what is shaping up to be an innovation. Other attractions of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational, including the PWC Turf and the newest addition to the World Cup series, the Filly and Mare Turf Invitational, replace the GIII Marsha’s River S card. Heading Saturday’s Pegasus is the main track test nine-hairs for older horses, led by defending champion Korea Racing Authority’s. Knicks Go (Payer) and WinStar Farm and CHC LLC’s Life is good (Naughty City).
The winner of last fall’s GI Breeders’ Cup Classic captured the rails, while GI Breeders’ Cup scorer Dirt Mile took the more palatable spot in the gate and will exit column 4.
“We’re not going to really deviate from what we’ve done in the past,” coach Brad Cox said of Knicks Go. “[Life Is Good] is a very fast, brilliant horse. We won’t let him have his own way, and I think he probably won’t let us have our own. We’re going to break the track, hoping to take the lead. We’re going to be very drastic to get him there. “
Casual driver Joel Rosario is set to ride the favorite 6-5 light line in his last race before retiring with Taylor Made Stallions.
He added, “It’s the same approach we took in the Breeders’ Cup. We’ll see how it plays out. He’s proven at a mile and an eighth and he likes the surface there. He likes the configuration of the track there at Gulfstream – he proved it last year. We’ll run out of there and see what happens. ”
Pletcher confirmed shortly after the draw that he was pleased with Life Is Good’s position in the door. Reunited with Irad Ortiz Jr., the bay was installed as a second choice on the 7-5 light line.
“You have two super talented horses with similar running styles, so it makes for a very interesting race,” says Pletcher. “It will be interesting to see how the pace plays out. Speed is our horse’s weapon and we will not seek to take it away from him, and I am sure. Knicks Go The group knows what’s right for their horse. We’ll just see how it plays out. “
Also in the field is the GI Belmont S. 2019 winner Sir Winston (Awesome Again), wins GIII Valedillions S. at Woodbine on Dec. 3. The 6-year-old boy owned by Tracy Farmer has drawn card 6 and will be accompanied by Edwin Gonzalez. He is 12-1 on the morning line.
Coach Mark Casse said: “He needed a lot of things to get his way. “He is feeling very well and we believe he deserves a chance.”
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This story was posted in Top News and tagged Brad Cox, Breeder’s Cup Champion, GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, Gulfstream Park, Knicks Go, Life is good, Bookmark Casse, Sir Winston, Todd Pletcher.
