Pegasus World Cup: California Chrome favorite at Wynn Las Vegas Race & Sports Book

By David Joseph —-

California Chrome favorite at Wynn Las Vegas Race & Sports Book
Pegasus World Cup Contender Eragon Schools in Paddock

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL –

Although defeated by Arrogate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), California Chrome was listed as the 4-5 favorite for the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) when the opening line at the Wynn Las Vegas Race & Sports Book was released.

Arrogate, who finished a half-length in front of California Chrome in the Classic, their first meeting, was made the second choice at even-money for the inaugural running of the 1 1/8-mile race.

The opening lines for the remainder of the expected 12-horse field is as follows: Noble Bird (12-1); Keen Ice (20-1); Neolithic (20-1); Shaman Ghost (25-1); Breaking Lucky (25-1); Eragon (40-1); War Envoy (50-1); War Story (50-1); Ralis (50-1); and Prayer for Relief (75-1).

Pegasus World Cup Contender Eragon Schools in Paddock

South American import Eragon, a three-time Group 1 winner in Argentina scheduled to run in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 28, was the picture of calm when he visited the Gulfstream Park paddock for the first time Thursday afternoon.

The James McIngvale-owned 6-year-old son of Offlee Wild was well-behaved throughout the 15-minute schooling session, which took place when the horses for Race 1 were in the paddock.

Laura Wohlers, Eragon’s trainer, said the horse who arrived from Argentina Dec. 19 and spent 2 1/2 weeks in a Miami quarantine center before settling in at Gulfstream Jan. 5, has taken everything in stride.

“He really has been so well-behaved; we’ve just been so happy with that,” Wohlers said as Eragon walked around the paddock after the runners for Race 1 left for the racetrack. “I was really worried about that because I had heard [South American imports] need six months to adjust, but he really settled in.

“We’re way behind on training and preparation, of course, because he was detained in quarantine for an extra week,” she added. “We maybe won’t get the best race of the year out of him this time, but hopefully he will run well.”

Eragon is scheduled to have his final work for the Pegasus on Sunday at Gulfstream with jockey Edgar Prado aboard. Wohlers said the horse will have another paddock schooling session before the Pegasus.

Gulfstream Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; XpressBet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.