Stevens says don't count out Giant Expectations in Pegasus World Cup

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens has won most of racing’s biggest prizes, including the Dubai World Cup, various Breeders’ Cup races, and multiple runnings of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes.

But on Saturday, he will look to conquer a new world when he teams with Giant Expectations in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park.

“It’s the same kind of deal – just a lot more zeroes behind the 16,” Stevens said.

Stevens is wintering at Oaklawn, where he is tied for second in the standings with five wins and leads all riders in mount earnings with $263,212. He will travel Friday to Gulfstream, ride there Saturday, then be back for the Sunday card at Oaklawn.

Giant Expectations and Stevens teamed together to win the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien in August at Del Mar, then last month pulled a 13-1 upset in the Grade 2 San Antonio at Santa Anita. Giant Expectations led throughout for a 3 1/4-length victory and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 106.

“It was extraordinary, but it didn’t surprise me,” he said. “The only thing that was a surprise was the ease he did it. He had everything his own way, was able to get away with extremely slow fractions. He’s got a high cruising speed anyway, a great turn of foot. It wasn’t the setup I expected, and he’ll never get that kind of setup again. Everyone really underestimated the colt. He had huge excuses in the Breeders’ Cup and Santa Anita Sprint Championship. He’s a good colt.”

Stevens noted that in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, Giant Expectations had a horse standing next to him in the starting gate that had an equipment issue. A chain of events led to a slow start for Giant Expectations, who finished sixth.

“He can be rambunctious in the starting gate,” Stevens said. “He’s a colt you don’t want to upset. He sucked back when they opened the gate, got left about six lengths. The plan was to be on the lead or at least attending the lead. He was last early.”

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It was an unfamiliar position for the front-running Giant Expectations, who took a lot of dirt to the face, Stevens said.

“The colt put in this huge run,”’ he said. “He had every reason to just stop running and he didn’t.”

As part of his preparation for the Pegasus, Giant Expectations worked five-eighths in a bullet 58 seconds Jan. 19 at Santa Anita for trainer Peter Eurton.

“I watched his work,” said Stevens. “Pete and I talked, and he was pretty excited and I’m excited.”

A $16 million race, it would seem, is the right kind of spot for a horse named Giant Expectations.