Two slots remain in Pegasus World Cup field

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The last two starting spots in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup have yet to be firmed up, but whichever horses complete the field of 12, they’re bound to be longshots that will barely move the needle on pre-race wagering.

While an official list of possibilities besides the 10 confirmed spot-holders for the Jan. 27 Pegasus was unavailable Friday, at least five horses are known to be under consideration for the remaining slots – Fear the Cowboy, Singing Bullet, J Boys Echo, Giuseppe the Great, and Game Over. When entries are drawn Jan. 24, there will be a two-horse also-eligible list in addition to the 12 horses in the main body.

Gun Runner, who is scheduled to arrive Thursday at Gulfstream Park after breezing either Sunday or Monday at his Fair Grounds base, will be a solid favorite in the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus. The other confirmed starters are Collected, West Coast, Stellar Wind, Seeking the Soul, Sharp Azteca, Gunnevera, Toast of New York, War Story, and Giant Expectations.

The Pegasus leads a blockbuster Jan. 27 card that will include seven other stakes, including four Grade 3 events – the Fred Hooper, W.L. McKnight, La Prevoyante, and Hurricane Bertie.

All-sources handle on the inaugural Pegasus card last January was $40.2 million, an all-time Gulfstream record. Arrogate was an easy winner in a field that was strung out 62 lengths from first to 12th.