1/28 (GP): $12MM Pegasus World Cup

[richard burch]

Originally Posted by Kasept

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

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.

[richard burch]

What about Filly"s?

can they enter in?

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by richard burch

What about Filly"s?

can they enter in?

–4-year-olds and up carry 124 pounds

–fillies and mares allowed 3 pound weight allowance

–3-year-olds allowed 3 pound weight allowance

–Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds allowed 3 pound allowance

–horses competing without race-day furosemide (Lasix) allowed 5 pounds

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ra...rld-cup-horse/

[richard burch]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ra...rld-cup-horse/

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.

[Kasept]

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.”

[bare it all]

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/

[ScottJ]

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.