Now that we know the potential field for the Pegasus World Cup, let’s first take a look at the contenders in tier division. For this year, the most likely winner may not come from the top tier. In fact, my top selection almost certainly won’t, as I plan to blur the two in that grouping.
1) The level of the winner of the Bounce-Back Breeders’ Cup
Full Serrano, white Abarrio
As mentioned above, I don’t think the winner will come from this level, but I do think you should start the discussion with the two Breeders’ Cup winners. White Abarriothe 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and the 2024 Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Full Serrano have both unequivocally proven themselves at this level. Heck, White Abarrio won the Pegasus World Cup a year ago in a 6 ¼ length runaway. However, both horses have doubts about this race. White Abarrio was a vet for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and was subsequently dropped from the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector Stakes in favor of training up to the Pegasus. White Abarrio has not raced since an unplaced finish in the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Aug. 31 at Saratoga and has only three published practices since November. Full Serrano won just one compensation race from three starts in 2025 and enters the Pegasus after a fifth-place finish in the 2025 Dirt Mile. Both could win the Pegasus, but I’ll look for my top selection elsewhere.
2) The Young Guns class
Captain Cook, Piece of Gold, Disco Time, Purposeful, Poster, Tappan Street
Okay, I know this group isn’t YOUNG-young, but this talented six-pack of recently four-year-olds brings significant quality to this race. You have, in alphabetical order: winner of the 2025 Withers Stakes Captain Cook2025 West Virginia Derby Winner Piece of gold2024 Remsen Stakes winner Posterundefeated winner of the rankings Disco timewinner of the 2025 Malibu Stakes Goal-orientedand the 2025 Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at the winner of Xalapa Tappanstraat. Piece of goldsecond place at last year’s Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, has the fastest Equibase Speed Figure (114) of this level and the fastest Equibase Speed Figure of the last race (113). He is in great form for trainer Ethan West. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has won three of the nine editions of the Pegasus, and the Baffert-trained Goal-oriented is entering a career-best 112 Equibase Speed Figure for his one-length victory in the Dec. 28 Malibu Stakes. He finished third in both the NYRA Bets Haskell Invitational Stakes and the Pennsylvania Derby, so he has proven himself capable against elite competition. Disco time is a lifetime 5-for-5, owns three straight wins in stakes races and earned a new best 112 Equibase Speed Figure for a 9 ¾-length romp in the Nov. 8 Dwyer Stakes for trainer Bad Cox, who won this race in 2021 with Knicks Go. Tappanstraat returned from 8.5 months on the sidelines to win a one-mile race at Gulfstream Park on December 19. That was his first start since beating Sovereignty in the Florida Derby, a race that was flattered when Sovereignty went on to win the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets and DraftKings Travers Stakes. That’s a lot of flattery! I think Tappan Street could be special and he should be given a good pace setup early on with plenty of speed to follow. Tappan Street, also trained by Cox, will most likely be my top selection.
3) The seasoned veterinarian
Skippy longstocking
Skippy longstocking has won 12 of 35 races on nine stakes while earning more than $3.7 million. The 7-year-old has had at least one race every year since 2021, held his own against top competition and is set to take a win in December. “Skippy” would be a victory threat if he matched his career-best performance, but his Equibase Speed Figures are declining, so it’s a tall order. This will be his fourth attempt in the Pegasus; his best result was third in 2025. Note: Rattle N-Roll was also originally listed in this level, but Daily Racing Form reported he will instead be relegated to the $20 million Saudi Cup.
4) The On the Bubble Busters level
Bishop’s Bay, Touchuponastar
Based on what I’ve read about this year’s Pegasus, Bishops Bay And Touch a star are considered for the race, but no locks may be entered. If their connections choose to give it a try, they belong and can be serious players. Bishops Bay has won six of his last seven starts for trainer Brad Cox and most recently the Grade 2 Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct in December after winning the one-mile Forty Niner Stakes there in November. He’s a stakes winner around two turns and has never been better. He earned a career-high Equibase Speed Figure of 114 in the Cigar Mile. Touchuponastar is a force of nature in his native Louisiana, where he has 16 stakes wins. His only stakes victory came at Fair Grounds in March 2025, but his three out-of-state trips all resulted in defeats. If he makes the trip to Florida, Touchuponastar would at least be a speed factor and his Equibase Speed Figures indicate he would be a viable winning candidate if he enjoys the main track at Gulfstream Park.
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