1/28 (GP): $12MM Pegasus World Cup
 

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...asus-world-cup

The Stronach Group announced May 11 the inaugural running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup will be held Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park.

With a purse that would make it the world's richest Thoroughbred race, the Pegasus World Cup will be contested at 1 1/8 miles on dirt and was created to attract the world's biggest stars in racing.

The race will be restricted to to 12 entries, whose connections will be required to pay $1 million each to buy a spot in the Pegasus World Cup starting gate.

The entrant's owner can then race, lease, contract or share a starter or sell their place in the starting gate. Original entrants will also have the first option to participate in future Pegasus World Cup races. All entrants will not only be competing for the world's largest purse but they will also share equally in 100% of the net income from handle, media rights, and sponsorships from the Pegasus World Cup, according to the Stronach Group announcement.

"The Pegasus World Cup will be conducted to the highest standards," said Frank Stronach, founder and honorary chairman of The Stronach Group, "and will held on Saturday, January 28th, thereby avoiding a conflict with either the Breeders' Cup or the Dubai World Cup."

The Stronach Group also announce that Jack Wolf, founder of Starlight Racing, has been retained as the CEO of the Pegasus World Cup to assist with the marketing and coordination of the race. Jack Wolf is the co-managing partner of Starlight Racing.

Tom Ludt, who is a board member of the Breeders Cup, will also be assisting with the marketing and coordination of the Pegasus World Cup.

I can't get over the fact that it's not 1 1/4 miles.

Is the $12 million guaranteed?

Agree. 10f separates the men from the boys.

Will there be 12 sets of connections who are willing to do that?

Tough to know who's prepared to go 10f in January.

Apparently. They were recruited over the last few months. Jack Wolf on ATR tomorrow to elaborate.

Weird hypothetical and likely dumb question...

You're basically buying a spot in the starters gate am I reading that right?

So if you're NYRA or Woodbine, etc...can you buy a spot then run an race where the winner gets the spot in the race?

Plus as the owner of the spot you get to share in the revenue,. etc all the other perks they're pushing?

It's a crazy idea that might actually work. I like it.

Note that all owners would be sharing in the handle (could be strong- I figure $8-10 million so $2 million-ish in revenue), media rights (probably not much), and sponsorship (mid-6 figures) so the gamble drops to maybe $600k to win $7 million.

I think its brilliant and will crush the BC Classic which I can live with. Assuming many colts will come of the track and head to breeding season. There is a real reason not to retire colts and the impact on Classic seems imminent

Why does this at the end of January 'crush' the BC Classic, run 90 days earlier?

More importantly will Breeder differ standing a new stallion for 2/3 weeks for 1 season to participate. Example will a AP or Nyquist stay in training to compete, surely trainers will adjust training schedules etc. to have a shot at a 600k pay day.

The issue could lend itself into less 3 year olds retiring if healthy. With 2 6 million dollar pay days lurking over 90 days its going to be hard to retire many 3 year olds UNLESS they have exceptional pages, records, and demand

How would youfeel putting up $1 mil and getting an outside post at GP at 1 1/8 ??? outside the 6 post is greatly disadvantaged there.

Because you have a much more lucrative alternative in Jan.

You saw the beginnings of this trend with Chrome. Let's face it the single biggest reason colts headed to breeding was racing them was not economically feasible.

The classic is going to become a gelding/not as desirable stallion prospect race IF this is successful

I dont aee why one oveerules the other because of the spacing. No reason to skip the bc when this is almost 90 days after.
I find the idea interesting. I wonder how it is going to turn out. That million dollar entry fee......yikes

Think the GP Cup will be a marketing vehicle as much as a payday opportunity. It won't detract from the season-ending goal of the Classic.

This is fascinating. So let's say an entity has a share (Zayats, Godolphin, whoever) and they don't have a horse that would be competitive. They could make a deal and "hire" a horse for the race, right? This makes so much sense. I love it.

I agree; I think it sounds like fun. And I guess there's no saying someone who owns the $1 million slot couldn't sell it for more (and, arguably, a portion or the entire share in the wagering, marketing profits, etc.). It sounds like a huge moneymaker for the original investors since they will also share in net profits (which, I assume, will not be like the film industry's "net profits" which are usually zero, thanks to creative accounting!).

I think its stupid.They should just raffle off a chance to blow up the keggasis statue in the front for a million a pop.:zz:

some random thoughts...

12 horse match race? Let me hold your money!

Over/under? 6.5 horses

Zero threat to win-and-you-are-in Breeders Cup races or Dubai events.

P. T. Barnum lives again!

I just heard Trump said he's in and will win easily.

I admit, when I first heard of this concept I thought it was laughable and guaranteed to fail if it was actually attempted...

After listening to Jack W on ATR I now have the opinion that it's the single most innovative thing I've seen with racing in the 15 years or so I've been closely following.

If you haven't listened to the vision laid out on Steve's show, I'd suggest you go to the archives and listen before dismissing the concept.

The most interesting aspect of all of this (to me at least) is that "non-racing" connections are apparently showing interest one of the 12 shares.

If they can execute as planned this is much more than just a $12M race.

Live Stream with further details:

http://livestream.com/accounts/704838/events/4147442

all spots are sold out

If you are a breeder how can you not buy a slot?

The breeders are going to play a big role. No doubt about it, freddy..

This has the potential to be a Triple Crown for older horses. With success it would be wise to add two more races.

Competing with Dubai and keeping the good horses over here and preventing them from disappearing is of the utmost importance.

Another Triple Crown winner wouldn't hurt either.

I wonder if Darley would defer Nyquist to a late start to breeding? Even if he doesnt win TC it would hurt that much to delay his breeding career by 4 weeks

Who knows what they'll do. I'm certain they don't know most of the time.

:D

Well, I was wrong. Race is fully subscribed. Now, the real fun begins. Stand-by for news?

I guess the question is, aren't you are supposed to have the "World" Championships" at the B.C. The best 4 Y.O.+ horses have usually been targeting that day and have raced all year with that day in mind. You would figure that some of those runners will want to enter into the new race also. For the trainers it would make them question to have a prep race before after a long year or run off a layoff.

The 3 year olds also play in too because they really would have had a tough campaign with the triple crown etc....Those runners will also want to enter into the new race if healthy.

On the good side you would also be able to get the best 1m to 1-3/16m horses to fit in who could race all year with that race in mind. That is what I believe you will get.

What about Filly"s?

can they enter in?

Thank you Sir!

The more I think about it this race is perfect for those horses that like a mile to 1-3/16 and everything in between. That covers a lot of horses and they actually have there own Championship race now.

Details on 32yo Dan Schaefer who's using PWC as an opportunity to jump into the game.

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com...s-lofty-goals/

Already a racing fan, Schafer’s interest in the sport went up several levels in 2000 when, at just 16, he made a Derby Week visit to Churchill Downs and ran into Bob Baffert.

“I just went there and was blown away by the tradition of the place, blown away by the spires, by just seeing something I had seen on television the previous 10 years of my life watching the Kentucky Derby,” he said. “I ran into Bob Baffert. I was just a 16-year-old kid and just knew him from seeing him win previous Triple Crown races. I was walking up to the front gate and I see this white Jaguar pass by with this man with shiny white hair and I said to the people I was with, ‘I’m pretty sure that is Bob Baffert.’ I just waited a couple minutes, he got out of car and I walked up to him, shook his hand and introduced myself as a fan. He took a picture with me. He was extremely nice and that’s one of reasons that experience was so special to me.”

Sixteen years later, Schafer had become a successful businessman and had the financial means to get involved in the sport. Yet, he wanted to be careful and wait for the right opportunity. When the creation of the Pegasus World Cup was announced, he said he didn’t have a moment’s hesitation about writing out the $1 million check to secure a spot–even though he still doesn’t have any horses.

“Over the last four or five years, I knew I wanted to get into the game, but was cautious about the way I did it,” he said. “I knew when I jumped into the game I wanted to make a pretty strong investment and that I had a few options. I could go to auctions, maybe buy some yearlings, maybe some 2 year old in training, maybe make a $500,000, $1-million investment and see what could happen from there. Then this Pegasus World Cup was created and jumping into the sport through that option seemed like a no-brainer.”

I can't believe they found 10 horses to challenge 'Chrome and Arrogate. No Gun Runner, Hoppertunity, Dortmund, etc.

California Chrome, California Chrome LLC
Arrogate, for Juddmonte
Eragon, for James McIngvale
Shaman Ghost will run for his owner Frank Stronach
Keen Ice, owned by Jerry Crawford's Donegal Racing, will run in the spot of Jerry and Ronald Frankel
War Story, owned by Loooch Racing and Partners, will run in the spot of Dan Schafer
Neolithic will run for owner Starlight Racing
Breaking Lucky, owned by Gunpoweder Farms, will run in the spot of Reeves Thoroughbreds
Prayer for Relief, owned by Zayat Stables, will run in the spot of Jeff Weiss and Rosedown Racing
War Envoy will run for owner Ruis Racing
Ralis will run for owner Reddam Racing
Noble Bird, owned by John Oxley, will run in the spot of Earle Mack

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/pe...sus-world-cup/

Maybe I am the minority voice here, but I have not seen a single compelling argument as to why thoroughbred racing needs a $12,000,000 race in the middle of the winter racing season - aside from putting a one hour focus on Florida if the television networks even give a damn. Where do I have this story wrong?

[1] We have all but dropped handicap racing in the United States which was the true genesis of an older horse "triple crown". The comment that these older horses would not be ready to travel 10f in January tells you that this cannot be a "triple crown" event of any level. You want an older horse triple crown in line with the history of the game? How about getting back to true handicap racing and, god forbid, ask a horse to travel more than 1 1/8 miles while doing it?

[2] While it is for those who really follow the names to have a California Chrome versus Arrogate rematch, are we now saying that the Breeder's Cup Classic is not enough from just two months back? Gulfstream Park would be holding this race in complete obscurity without those two signed on.

[3] This $12,000,000 event has limited sustainability. This is the Spend a Buck Jersey Derby from 1985 in a new suit.

Improving Fair Grounds situation open door a crack for Gun Runner
 

Door opens at least a crack for Gun Runner to go to Pegasus
By Marcus Hersh

The decision by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to lift a quarantine of the Fair Grounds backstretch on Jan. 21 puts Fair Grounds-based Gun Runner one step closer to racing in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 28 at Gulfstream.

The state-administered quarantine due to an outbreak of equine herpesvirus will be lifted Saturday for 42 barns in which there have been no reported incidences of the virus provided no further cases are reported in the next two days. Gun Runner is stabled in a barn in which there have been no EHV-1 cases.

David Fiske, the racing manager for co-owner Ron Winchell, said Wednesday afternoon that should the quarantine been lifted the Pegasus would be "very much in play" for Gun Runner, who has been trained to make the race, should the chance arise, and is scheduled to work again this weekend. Twelve horse already are listed as starters in the race, a full field, but Gun Runner's owners could have a deal to swap their horse for one of the announced starters if it becomes possible.

But there would be several hurdles still to clear. A Fair Grounds movement restriction barring horses coming into and going out of the track remained in place late Wednesday afternoon. Even if that restriction - at least for horses leaving the track - is lifted, Gun Runner would have to be cleared to ship into Florida in general and Gulfstream in particular, both of which might be unwilling to accept any horses from Fair Grounds so close to the EHV-1 event. There have, however, been no cases of the far more serious neuropathogenic strain of the EHV-1 virus reported since Dec. 31, and the horse that tested positive that day has recovered and returned a negative test Tuesday.

1. That would require a national authority with teeth and that's unlikely to happen. The owners and trainers with the stock and power to control the game don't want fair racing. They want the illusion that their horse is just as good as past champions who had weight on their back. Adversity is a triggering word in North American racing.

2. It isn't enough. The good horses don't run enough. This is a bold move with a high ceiling.

3. We shall see. I strongly disagree.

Pegasus World Cup Parking
 

Did anyone purchase from Gulfstream a parking pass to this event. A co-worker paid $50.00 to park in Cigar Lot B. She has the invoice, but has not received her parking pass. Several attempts to contact the track have failed.

Deal reached to point Gun Runner to Pegasus, Ruis says
By Matt Hegarty

Gun Runner, the 2016 Clark Handicap winner, will start in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 28 in the slot owned by Mick Ruis Sr., provided the horse clears quarantine at Fair Grounds in New Orleans in the next several days and is allowed on to the grounds of Gulfstream Park in Florida, Ruis said late on Thursday night.

Ruis said that he reached a deal with the co-owners of Gun Runner just recently, and that he had a discussion with an official at Gulfstream on Thursday afternoon indicating that the horse would be allowed on to the track grounds provided the horse tests negative for equine herpesvirus and clears other protocols. Ruis Sr. would not name the official of Gulfstream he had talked to.

Gun Runner has been stabled at Fair Grounds all winter. The track has had two horses tests positive for the neuropathic strain of equine herpesvirus, a highly contagious disease, toward the end of last year, leading to a general quarantine of the backstretch. With no horses testing positive for the more dangerous strain of the disease since Dec. 31, that quarantine could be lifted for most of the barns on the backstretch as early as Saturday, according to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The draw of the Pegasus is on Monday.

Early on Thursday, P.J. Campo, the general manager of Gulfstream, said that no one had contacted him yet about whether the track would allow in horses from Fair Grounds if the quarantine is lifted.

“I haven’t discussed it with upper management, but we’d definitely have to see [Gun Runner] test negative, along with everyone else in that barn,” Campo said. “And we’ll go with what the state vets are saying.”

Gun Runner, who has been trained by Steve Asmussen in recent weeks as if preparing for the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus, had been on the short lists of Pegasus slot owners for most of last year, but the quarantine at Fair Grounds seemed to dim his chances of participating in the race. Still, some slot holders had held out hope that the horse would be released from the track in time to participate in the race.

Doug Cauthen, a representative of Three Chimneys Farm, which owns Gun Runner with Winchell Thoroughbreds, did not return a phone call on Thursday.

Ruis said the partnership agreed not to release details of the deal to start Gun Runner. Ruis and 11 others purchased a starting slot in the Pegasus last year for $1 million each, with the right to market the slots as each owner saw fit. The winner’s share of the Pegasus is $7 million, with second receiving $1.75 million, and third $1 million.

Gulfstream Park is owned by a private company controlled by Frank Stronach, who owns a slot to the Pegasus and his pointing his homebred Shaman Ghost to the race. The idea to hold a race in which owners fund the entire purse with marketable starting slots was Stronach’s.

Ruis, an ex-trainer, had earlier designated a horse he owns, War Envoy, as his starter in the race. If Gun Runner is able to run in the Pegasus, War Envoy, which made his last start in an optional claiming race, will start in the Poseidon Stakes, a $400,000 race on the Pegasus undercard open to horses designated by Pegasus slot owners as back-ups for their slots in the race.

What to do if your horse draws poorly @ GP 1 1/8 ? I recallpp 7 on out is up against it, but no one has addressed it yet. Too soon i guess, ;)