By Ben Massam
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – The field for Saturday's inaugural running of the $12-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational was set Monday afternoon at Frankey's Sports Bar at Gulfstream Park, with 6-5 morning line favorite California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) drawn in post 12 and 7-5 second choice and 'TDN Rising Star' Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) posted on the rail for Juddmonte Farms. With a large group of media, horsemen and owners in attendance, the crowd reacted noticeably when the two headliners drew post positions that demand some level of racing luck.
“Outside, inside, you can't make any excuses,” said California Chrome's trainer Art Sherman. “The good thing I thought about is he won't have to be in the gate long…He's got natural speed.”
A large contingent of Starlight Racing partners, including Pegasus World Cup CEO Jack Wolf, was on hand to view the draw, and gave a cheer of approval when their 30-1 shot Neolithic (Harlan's Holiday) drew post three. Norman Casse, assistant to his father and trainer Mark Casse, seemed pleased with speedy Noble Bird (Birdstone)'s post in stall four at odds of 25-1. Dean Reeves of Reeves Racing, who recently acquired a share of GI Clark H. runner-up Breaking Lucky (Lookin At Lucky), deemed the chestnut's spot in post 10 “good but not great,” consistent with a prevailing sentiment that outside posts are not ideal over the Pegasus's trip and track. Meanwhile 2015 GI Travers S. upsetter Keen Ice (Curlin) was installed as the 12-1 morning line third choice from post nine.
The draw was hosted by track announcer Pete Aiello and included an appearance from Pegasus World Cup creator Frank Stronach, who holds a spot of his own in the race with Shaman Ghost (Ghostzapper), set to break from slot seven. Stronach inaugurated Pegasus week by welcoming all “horse lovers” to Gulfstream Park.
Earlier in the day, Pegasus week quite literally began with a bang after thunderstorms brought heavy rain and wind to South Florida in the early morning hours, rendering the Gulfstream Park main track sloppy for training. Newly crowned 2016 Horse of the Year California Chrome had a light session of exercise over the wet surface, jogging a circuit around the track beneath regular morning companion Dihigi Gladney just before daybreak.
Upon his return to the barn, 'Chrome' was met by a large group of spectators–namely members of the U.S. Polo Team who journeyed to the track to raise awareness for the importance of off-track Thoroughbreds with members of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Belinda Stronach of The Stronach Group was on hand to meet with the guests as California Chrome cooled out in front of the shedrow.
One day after working five furlongs at the Hallandale oval, James McIngvale's South American import Eragon (Arg) (Offlee Wild) jogged a mile shortly after the first renovation break as the sun emerged from behind a layer of clouds. It was an otherwise quiet morning at Gulfstream, but activity is expected to pick up in the coming days with trainer Bob Baffert's champion Arrogate slated to arrive from California Tuesday.
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