Pegasus World Cup 2024: First Mission should work out the right trip

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The first major feature of the handicap division happens Saturday, January 27: the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park! The race drew an overflow field of twelve invitees plus one also-eligible entrant, a fascinating mix of proven handicap stars and new faces in the division. The race covers 1 ⅛ miles on the Gulfstream dirt, and it is one of the best betting races at Gulfstream Park, or any track!

First Mission To win the Pegasus World Cup

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The Pegasus is one of the newest fixtures on the horse racing calendar, having been run for the first time in 2017. However, it is one of the classiest as well, with winners like Arrogate, Gun Runner, City of Light, and Art Collector. Keep reading to find out which horses are the most likely to add their name to this list, and to see the best places to bet the Pegasus World Cup online.

Betting the 2024 Pegasus World Cup Online

Before you start handicapping the race, you need to know the best place to bet the Pegasus World Cup online. There are many options out there, but our expert racebook reviews are here to help you learn your options and choose the best one.

Every site we recommend has the basics of a great wagering experience: smooth user interfaces, market-leading odds, and trusted payouts. Each site also offers great horse racing bonuses to help you build your bankroll. These bonuses include sign-up and deposit incentives, referral benefits, and even horse racing rebates that pay you money for every bet you make.

Choosing the site with the best bonus structure for your betting style can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to your bankroll. So, taking a few minutes to read the reviews and see which ones are best for you is the best choice you can make before betting on the Pegasus World Cup.

The Best Online Racebooks

These are the best online racebooks for playing the 2024 Pegasus World Cup:

Rank	Racebook	Bonus	Review	Link to site
#1		$250 Free Bet on Props + Head-to-Heads		VISIT RACEBOOK!
#2		100% Sign Up Bonus - Up to $500		VISIT RACEBOOK!
#3		50% up to $1,000 + $25 Risk Free Bet + 7% Rebates		VISIT RACEBOOK!
#4		100% sign-up bonus up to $300 + 8% rebate		VISIT RACEBOOK!
#5		Up to 13% Weekly Loyalty Rewards		VISIT RACEBOOK!
#6		50% sign-up bonus up to $250		VISIT RACEBOOK!
#7		$100 Free Bet on Props + Head-to-Heads!		VISIT RACEBOOK!

Pegasus World Cup Handicapping

With your account set up, it is time to dive into the 2024 Pegasus World Cup, get to know the horses, and pick the ones who can make an impact!

Pegasus World Cup 2024 Field

This is the official field for the 2024 Pegasus World Cup including post positions, trainers, jockeys, and morning lines:

1. Nimitz Class (George Weaver/Edgard Zayas) - 20/1
2. O’Connor (Saffie Joseph, Jr./Paco Lopez) - 8/1
3. Dynamic One (Todd Pletcher/Irad Ortiz, Jr.) - 15/1
4. Hoist the Gold (Dallas Stewart/John Velazquez) - 12/1
5. Trademark (Victoria Oliver/Fernando de la Cruz) - 15/1
6. Senor Buscador (Todd Fincher/Junior Alvarado) - 20/1
7. National Treasure (Bob Baffert/Flavien Prat) - 9/5
8. First Mission (Brad Cox/Luis Saez) - 7/2
9. Grand Aspen (Todd Pletcher/Jose Ortiz) - 8/1
10. Il Miracolo (Antonio Sano/Javier Castellano) - 20/1
11. Crupi (Todd Pletcher/Frankie Dettori) - 20/1
12. Skippylongstocking (Saffie Joseph/Tyler Gaffalione) - 8/1
13. Castle Chaos (Robert Falcone, Jr./Tyler Gaffalione) - ALSO ELIGIBLE

Note that Castle Chaos will not race unless a horse scratches from the main field before the Saturday-morning deadline. Gulfstream Park did not assign morning-line odds for Castle Chaos.

Remember that the morning line is the Gulfstream track handicapper’s best estimate of what the betting board will be come post time. They can be a good guide to compare actual action on horses to projected action, to see who is “hot” or “cold”, but the prices on track fluctuate until the horses break from the gate.

Your best bet is to bet the Pegasus World Cup at an online racebook. Online racebooks offer fixed-odds wagering on major races like the Pegasus World Cup. That way, you can lock in the best price simply by placing a bet! If late action pushes the price on your horse down, you can watch the race confident knowing that you still get the odds when you bet.

National Treasure	+135	+180	+180
First Mission	+300	+300	+300
Trademark	+900	+700	+900
Grand Aspen	+1200	+1400	+1200
Hoist the Gold	+1200	+900	+1200
O'Connor	+1200	+1100	+1200
Skippylongstocking	+1200	+1400	+1200

Pegasus World Cup Favorites

It makes sense that National Treasure will be a heavy favorite: he comes out of a traditionally strong Pegasus prep (the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile), he is trained by two-time Pegasus winner Bob Baffert, and his frontrunning style should suit Gulfstream. But, he has not been the most consistent horse and he tends to do better with a race or two underneath him, not first off the layoff. The smart money is skeptical about him.

First Mission, the likely second choice, appeals significantly more. Though he missed by a nose in the Clark, he had to do the dirty work on the pace that day. He is a better horse when he can work a close-up stalking trip instead. The odds are good that First Mission can do exactly that, and the nine-furlong distance should suit him perfectly.

First Mission To win the Pegasus World Cup

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Pegasus World Cup Exotic Horses

Hoist the Gold still has to prove himself at this distance, but his pedigree top and bottom suggests he has upside on this stretch-out. His early speed should be an asset, and he can run well either on or near the lead. He will be a long shot, especially with the distance question, but he is in the right form and trainer Dallas Stewart has made a career of upsetting major races.

Hoist the Gold To win the Pegasus World Cup

+1200

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Skippylongstocking is mired in a far-outside gate, so he risks losing ground. However, with some luck he could work out a clean outside stalking trip. He has a strong record at Gulfstream and over the nine-furlong distance, and he is a stronger horse now than he was when he attempted the Pegasus World Cup last year.

Although closers are not usually at an advantage at Gulfstream, there is enough pace to think an off-pace type could invade exotics. Senor Buscador should be finishing best of that group. He is a fixture at this level and has been able to run well at different racetracks. His usual, dependable effort is a good enough race to get a piece.

2024 Pegasus World Cup Free Picks

Your betting accounts are set up, and you have met the field for the big race. All that is left is the best part of all: placing your wager! Here are the best bets for Saturday’s 2024 Pegasus World Cup:

• $20 to win - #8 First Mission
• $5 to win/place - #4 Hoist the Gold
• $1 exacta key - #8 First Mission with #4 Hoist the Gold, #12 Skippylongstocking
• $0.50 trifecta key - #8 First Mission with #4 Hoist the Gold, #6 Senor Buscador, #12 Skippylongstocking
• $0.20 superfecta key - #8 First Mission with #4 Hoist the Gold, #6 Senor Buscador, #7 National Treasure, #12 Skippylongstocking

Pegasus World Cup Post Time

Post time for the 2024 Pegasus World Cup is scheduled for 5:40pm Eastern, 2:40pm Pacific, on Saturday, January 27. It is the 13th and final race on Gulfstream Park’s blockbuster card, which also features the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) and the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G2).