Pegasus World Cup 2025 Runners: Guide to the 12-horse field

The $3,000,000 Pegasus World Cup takes place at Gulfstream Park on Saturday evening (Post Time set for 22:40 UK time) and is the final race on the card. It is traditionally one of the best races for older horses Stateside, with only the Breeders' Cup Classic having a bigger purse.

Our US Horse Racing follower has a look at the 12-horse field but thinks the expected favourite deserves that spot...

*Betfred will price-up the market closer to Post Time but you can Bet on the Pegasus World Cup 2025 with our racecard on betfred.com

1 - Mixto - J: F. Dettori, T: D. O’Neill

This five-year-old Grade I winner will attract more support this side of the pond than Stateside due to the jockey. Frankie Dettori gets the ride and he has a live longshot. I’m not sold however as the Pacific Classic victory was by far and away the run of his life. There is nothing in his record to indicate that he’ll be up with the top horses here - Pass

2 - Saudi Crown - J: F. Geroux, T: B.Cox 

Very much a contender for this race. Placed at the Saudi Cup last year and has a Pennsylvania Derby win on his resume. Took to the track after a ten-month lay-off in December and looked sublime at Fair Grounds putting up a 103 Beyer Rating. Likely to go off as the third-favourite - Win Contender

3 - Newgrange - J: E. Jaramillo, T: J. D’Angelo

Former Bob Baffert horse who won two races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby but took no points because of his former trainers’ Churchill Downs ban. Been feast or famine throughout his career. Seven wins is nothing to sniff at but just as likely to contend as he is to finish last. The Morning Line has him at 20/1 and as an each-way play, I’ve seen worse - Place Contender

4 - White Abarrio - J: I. Ortiz Jr. T: S. Joseph Jr.

I loved White Abarrio ahead of the 2022 Kentucky Derby but when the lights shined brightest, it wasn’t to be. His four-year-old campaign though was stellar, placed at the Met Mile before winning the Whitney and Breeders’ Cup Classic. Strong bullet works indicate he’ll be there or thereabouts - Win Contender

5 - Crupi - J: L. Saez, T: T. Pletcher

Finished third in this race a year ago and had a very solid 2024 campaign. He won the Grade II Suburban and placed in the Brooklyn, Whitney and Woodward. Has placed in six of his past seven. You’ll find worse each-way plays in the field - Place Contender

6 - Stronghold - J: A. Fresu, T: P. D’Amato

Strong west coast pedigree having won the Santa Anita Derby and finishing runner-up in the Malibu on Boxing Day whilst putting up a 102 Bayer. Placed in every race apart from the Kentucky Derby. Deserves consideration but I don’t see him winning. Placing though wouldn’t shock - Place Contender

7 - Steal Sunshine - J: D. Davis, T: B. Dibona

Real longshot. Best win was in the Grade II Gulfstream Park Mile. 96 Bayer that day and in the Fred W. Cooper. Being anywhere near the pointy end of the race would be the race of his life - Pass

8 - Vitality - J: R. Maragh, T: H. Ladouceur

Biggest price in the field according to the Morning Line. 84 Bayer in his only half decent victory. No idea why his connections have pointed him to this race as anything higher than mid-pack would be a phenomenal result - Pass

9 - Mystik Dan - J: B. Hernandez Jr. T: K. McPeek

2024 Kentucky Derby winner and runner-up in the Preakness struggled mightily in the Belmont and looked decidedly off-the-pace on his return in the Malibu. Likely to go off shorter than Crupi and Stronghold, both of whom I think have a better chance of hitting the board. Tough to ignore a Derby winner but I’m just not expecting much. Great pedigree but I have six or maybe seven horses in the field ahead of him - Pass

10 - Skippylongstocking - J: T. Gaffalione, T: S. Joseph Jr.

Great resume with no fewer than seven wins at Graded Stakes level. The biggest issue with this horse is he’s run in this very race in both 2023 and 2024 doing absolutely nothing. Finishing seventh in 2023 and 12th in 2024. That tough is the only blot that stops him being a genuine win contender and maybe the third time is a charm. If we get anywhere near the 10/1 on the Morning Line Stateside when the race is priced-up, an each-way play feels strong - and maybe more - Win Contender

11 - Locked - J: J. Velazquez, T: T. Pletcher

Likely to go off as the favourite and there is no reason to believe that wouldn’t be fair. 101 Bayer in the Cigar Mile beating out a really strong field. Lightly-raced in 2024 following a frayed ligament injury but had been looking strong on the Road to the Kentucky Derby having won the Grade I Breeders’ Futurity and placing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as a two-year-old - Top Pick

12 - Power Squeeze - J: J. Castellano, T: J. Delgado

Lovely looking filly who had an up and down three-year-old campaign. Disappointed at the Kentucky Oaks but had wins in the Gulfstream Park Oaks, Delaware Oaks and Grade I Alabama Stakes. Seemed to slow down however towards the end of the season and has been heavily raced with no noticeable lay-off. Not one for me - Pass

You can check out all of our other Horse Racing Tips here on Betfred Insights.