Meeting the 12 Official Invitees of the 2021 Pegasus World Cup

As the new year starts, the 5th edition of the one ⅛ mile Pegasus World Cup Series will once again take place at Gulfstream Park on January 23, 2021. Last year, Bob Baffert's Mucho Gusto had won the $3 million Pegasus title and might be nearing to clinch a back-to-back victory this year. He's one of the invitees and surely a heavy favorite to win the title. 

The Pegasus World Cup is considered one of the richest horse racing games, despite just being founded five years ago. Unlike other horse racing tournaments, the Pegasus World Cup makes way for the most accomplished racehorses in huge tournaments. It is  where Derby winners, Preakness heroes, Belmont finishers, and Breeders' Cup victors meet head-to-head. 

Not only that, but horses who nailed other significant horse racing events and those who are brave enough to challenge are invited to the Pegasus Cup at Gulfstream Park. Thus, with only a few more days remaining before this racing game takes place, let's take a closer look at the official invitees of the 2021 Pegasus World Cup showdown. 

Charlatan 

Charlatan accomplished four horse racing tournaments last year, and two of these were stakes races. He is the first entry of Bob Baffert in the Pegasus World Cup. Charlatan has been invited to take part in Pegasus after missing the Triple Crown last year due to an injury. His last stint was at the Malibu Stakes, where he won the title. 

Code of Honor 

Code of Honor is one of the most accomplished three-year-old colts last year. His highest placement was at Kelso Handicap, where he got second place. Apart from that, he also won races like the Whitney Stakes (4th) and Clark Stakes (2nd). 

Harpers First Ride 

Claudio Gonzalez will have his first appearance at Gulfstream Park this month as Harpers First Ride will vie for the Pegasus crown. Last year, this horse garnered several accomplishments, including the four titles he won at Native Dancer Stakes, Richard W. Small Stakes, Pimlico Special Stakes, and Deputed Testamony Stakes. 

Jesus' Team 

After conquering the Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes title last December, Jesus' Team joins the official invitees' roster for the Pegasus World Cup. This colt has also earned other placements such as the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (2nd), Preakness Stakes (3rd), Jim Dandy Stakes (3rd), and Pegasus Stakes (2nd). 

Kiss Today Goodbye 

Kiss Today Goodbye is an Irish native racehorse who will grapple for the Pegasus World Cup this year. He bagged the San Antonio Stakes title last December. Besides that, he got three major placements in various racing events, including Shared Belief Stakes (3rd),  Del Mar Derby (5th), and Twilight Derby (4th). 

Knicks Go 

After flawlessly earning the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile title last November at Keeneland, Pegasus had to secure Knicks Go's spot to compete at Gulfstream Park. The Breeders' Cup was his only title last year, and he is looking forward to stealing the Pegasus against the veteran racers. 

Mr Freeze 

Trained by Dale Romans, Mr Freeze is also an official invitee to the Pegasus World Cup. He is the current winner of the Hagyard Fayette Stakes held at Keeneland last October. His other accomplishments include Clark Stakes (5th), Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (6th), Alysheba Stakes (6th), and Oaklawn Handicap (3rd). 

Mucho Gusto 

The current titleholder of the 2020 Pegasus World Cup Invitational is back to defend his title in the next few weeks. He's the second entry of Bob Baffert and follows after Charlatan. Before getting invited to Pegasus, Mucho Gusto earned two 4th place finishes at Saudi Cup and San Antonio Stakes. 

Sharp Samurai 

Earning three consecutive 2nd placements last year, including the City of Hope Mile Stakes, Pacific Classic Stakes, and Eddie Read Stakes, Sharp Samurai will join the mightiest entries for this year's Pegasus stint. 

Sleepy Eyes Todd

Sleepy Eyes Todd garnered four racing titles last year, which earned him a Pegasus competition invitation this year. These victories include Mr. Prospector Stakes, Lafayette Stakes, Charles Town Classic Stakes, and Bosselman Pump and Pantry Stakes.

Tax 

Tax participated in last year's Pegasus stint but landed only at 9th place. Today, he's invited one more time to prove his worth. Also, he finished two racing games last year, which are the Oaklawn Handicap and Harlan's Holiday Stakes. 

True Timber

Filling-up the final spot of this year's Pegasus World Cup invitees is True Timber. He landed at 8th place in Pegasus last year. After that, he recently won the Cigar Mile Handicap. Not only that, but he placed significantly at Forego Stakes (3rd), Vosburgh Stakes (4th), and Lafayette Stakes (2nd). 

Takeaway

The Pegasus World Cup Invitational may be the youngest horse racing today, but it is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated events every horse racing fan is looking forward to. Aside from offering a glaring million-dollar reward to the winning entry, it tells who's the greatest racehorse in the three-year-old category. Hence, don't miss this exciting horse racing