Post position favors Arrogate over California Chrome in Pegasus World Cup

By RICHARD ENG SPECIAL TO THE REVIEW-JOURNAL

8 years ago

California Chrome nudges trainer Alan Sherman at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. California Chrome is expected to race in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup horse race on Saturday. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

When the Stronach Group dreamed up the concept of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup, there were many skeptics. Well, the dream becomes reality Saturday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.

The 12 stalls were sold in no time for $1 million apiece. All will be filled, as each starter will win a minimum of $250,000. The winner’s share is $7 million, with $1.75 million for second and $1 million for third.

For many months, it has looked like a two-horse race between Arrogate (7-5) and California Chrome (6-5). The other 10 range from 12-1 to 50-1, but expect a couple of runners to be around 99-1 at post time.

Arrogate drew the advantageous Post 1, and California Chrome drew Post 12. This alone is enough to favor Arrogate, my choice to win.

When they met in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, California Chrome led while Arrogate tracked and then passed him to win. I think the roles will be reversed Saturday, with Arrogate leading and California Chrome tracking on the outside.

Gulfstream Park is such a speed favoring oval, I’m not sure California Chrome can overcome his unfortunate draw because the nine-furlong race begins right into the clubhouse turn. Arrogate can save every inch of ground, while California Chrome figures to be wide throughout.

Two long shots I will consider are Keen Ice (12-1) and Noble Bird (25-1).

DRF/NTRA NHC

The three-day National Handicapping Championship will end Sunday at TI. With almost $3 million in prize money, the competition will be fierce, but the camaraderie unrivaled.

Horseplayers are a rare breed. In everyday life, we compete among one another. But in reality, we root for one another to do well.

Two players in particular will have a bull’s-eye on their backs.

Cheryl McIntyre won the 2016 NHC Tour and is eligible for a $2 million bonus should she also win the NHC.

Joe Appelbaum won the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge and will claim a $3 million bonus should he win the NHC. The BCBC and NHC $3 million bonus is in essence a “rolling double.” If you win the BCBC and NHC, in either order, you win the $3 million bonus, too.

The names of two qualifiers jump off the page.

Chris Fallica is a senior researcher for ESPN. He is known as “The Bear,” and his college football picks on College GameDay are spot on.

Dave Weaver is an on-air racing analyst for TVG. His Twitter handle of @icecoldexacta comes from the cold exacta plays he gives out regularly. Weaver will wave the banner for the TVG and TVG2 on-air handicappers.

TWIN QUINELLAS

South Point and Station Casinos are offering a special $10,000 Twin Quinella bet Saturday. If they decide to use the Pegasus World Cup race, the quinella of Arrogate and California Chrome will be popular.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association will introduce a new statewide bet Saturday: head-to-head matchups. The takeout is a low 6½ percent. Out of 10 offerings Saturday, the key one will be Arrogate (1-1) versus California Chrome (4-5) in the Pegasus World Cup.

Richard Eng’s horse racing column is published Friday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. You can buy his Santa Anita Park picks at racedaylasvegas.com. You can email him at rich_eng@hotmail.com and follow @richeng4propick on Twitter.