Gulfstream Park DIRT, 27 JAN 2018
1m1f Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (Grade 1) (4yo+) (Dirt) (4yo+)
BETTING FORECAST 10/11 Gun Runner, 6/1 West Coast, 7/1 Collected, 8/1 Sharp Azteca, 14/1 Toast Of New York, 20/1 Gunnevera, 25/1 Stellar Wind, 33/1 Giant Expectations, Seeking The Soul, 66/1 Fear The Cowboy, War Story, 100/1 Singing Bullet.
VERDICT
This is a huge ask for Toast Of New York. The favourite Gun Runner had several of these behind when landing last year’s BC Classic, but from gate 10 he’s likely to be wide on the first bend, and there are some high-class horses to his inside, with SHARP AZTECA the pick. The selection has won here three times and was better than ever when taking the Cigar Mile on his latest start. That was an immense performance. The question is whether he can reach such a level over this extra furlong, but he’s handily drawn and tactically versatile, and his speed should carry him a long way.
COMMENTS
Collected Won G1 Pacific Classic/2nd to Gun Runner in BC Classic last yr; flat on return but excuse
Fear The Cowboy Four wins here, two Graded races including improved form latest but still lots more needed
Game Over Potential to progress to good level in due course, but this looks way too tough for now
Giant Expectations Versatile sort with two 7f-8.5f G2 wins, inc latest, but likely to find this way too tough
Giuseppe The Great Minor 8.5f win here latest; no chance now; first reserve
Gun Runner Five-time Grade 1 winner, four last year, notably Breeders’ Cup Classic, but wide draw
Gunnevera Lots to find but G2 win here; deep closer who could get piece of prize if pace collapses
Seeking The Soul Won 1m1f G1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs latest but needs to improve quite a bit more
Sharp Azteca Three 1m wins here inc G2; won up to 8.5f; better than ever taking G1 Cigar Mile latest
Singing Bullet Minor win penultimate start, excuses latest, but major improvement required
Stellar Wind Six G1 wins against own sex; below form latest; best gives her an outside shot; new barn
Toast Of New York Nose second in 2014 BC Classic; off for over three years before minor win last month
War Story Fifth in this in 2017; later won 1m4f G2, then fourth behind three of these in BC Classic
West Coast Won G1 Travers & G1 Penn Derby, before 3rd behind Gun Runner & Collected in BC Classic
fonte : RacingPost
