Updated Pegasus World Cup 2022: Who’s in? Who’s out?

This week the connections for eight of the 17 horses invited, counting two on the also-eligible list, confirmed they planned to run in the 1 1/8-miles event at Gulfstream Park. The Pegasus has a maximum field size of 12.

The final invitation list will be issued on Sunday with the race set to be drawn Tuesday. Below is an updated status report on the prospective field.

In: Knicks Go, Life Is Good, Sir Winston, Chess Chief, Stilleto Boy, Title Ready, Commandeer (also eligible), Endorsed (also eligible).

The new names confirmed since last week’s report are Chess Chief and Title Ready for trainer Dallas Stewart, plus Commandeer for trainer James Toner, who is on the also-eligible list.

Toner informed Horse Racing Nation that Commandeer, who exits an allowance victory at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25, would run “if he draws in.” The Pegasus would be the first stakes try for the 4-year-old son of Street Boss. Commandeer has a record of 10: 3-2-2 and earnings of $142,114 for AJ Suited Racing Stable.

After being undecided on Chess Chief last week, Dallas Stewart told HRN on Wednesday he would join stablemate Title Ready in the starting gate. “Both will run in the Pegasus,” Stewart confirmed.

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Chess Chief exits a win in the Dec. 26 Tenacious Stakes at Fair Grounds. He also is entered in Saturday’s Louisiana Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds featuring Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon but presumably will be scratched. Reylu Gutierrez is reported to ride Chess Chief in the Pegasus.

Trainer Mike Maker also plans to enter Endorsed if he gets in, which appears likely.

Possible: Law Professor, Happy American (also eligible).

Southern California-based Law Professor received invites to both the Pegasus World Cup and Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) for trainer Michael McCarthy following his victory in the off-the-turf Mathis Brothers Mile (G3) at Santa Anita on Dec. 26. McCarthy was non-committal for Law Professor’s Pegasus participation as of Wednesday.

“Nothing concrete yet, both races appear tough regardless of field size,” McCarthy said.
Trainer Neil Pessin is undecided if Happy American will contest the Pegasus. The 4-year-old Runhappy colt was beaten a nose by Chess Chief when second in the Tenacious, which followed a pair of allowance wins at Churchill Downs.

Out/unlikely: Olympiad, Happy Saver, Fearless, Super Stock, Ginobili, American Theorem (also eligible), Forewarned (also eligible).

Olympiad, who was a troubled four in last month’s Cigar Mile (G1) for trainer Bill Mott, received his invitation Sunday, the day after rolling to a 7 1/4-length allowance win at Gulfstream Park when going two turns for the first time. Mott stated it was “highly unlikely” the 4-year-old Speightstown colt would be wheeled back in two weeks for the Pegasus.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said last week he planned to start only Life Is Good, as Happy Saver was a candidate for next month’s rich Saudi Cup.

Last Saturday, Happy Saver had just his first work since finishing second in the Nov. 26 Clark (G1).

Super Stock was ruled out of the Pegasus by trainer Steve Asmussen in a text message Wednesday. “He’s not coming,” the Hall of Famer confirmed.

Southern California-based American Theorem was among the new invitees, but he is unlikely to make the cross-country trip. Trainer George Papaprodromou said he likely will stick with the initial plan and keep American Theorem at Santa Anita to contest the $200,000 San Pasqual (G2) on Feb. 5 followed by potentially the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

Forewarned, trained by Uriah St. Lewis, would appear unlikely as he was entered on Wednesday in this weekend’s $100,000 Jazil Stakes at Aqueduct.

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