The eyes of the sporting world turn to Hallandale Beach, Florida, for the 10th anniversary of one of the richest races in North America. NBC Sports provides comprehensive live coverage of the 2026 Pegasus World Cup, broadcasting the event to a national audience. Fans can also stream the entire racecard through the Peacock app, ensuring you do not miss a second of the high-stakes drama. Local fans and travelers will descend upon Gulfstream Park to witness the $3 million Invitational Stakes in person. If you cannot reach a television, most major betting platforms, such as BUSR Experience, provide live feeds to their active members. Viewing starts early in the afternoon as the undercard features several high-profile graded stakes that set the stage for the main event.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 24, 2026, as the official date for this massive Triple Crown-style event. The gates at Gulfstream Park open early in the morning, typically around 10:00 AM ET, to accommodate the thousands of spectators. While the Pegasus World Cup odds will fluctuate throughout the afternoon, the main event usually sees a post time between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM ET.
The day features a total of eight graded stakes races, including the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational and the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf. This dense schedule requires bettors to manage their bankroll carefully throughout the long afternoon of elite racing.
Meteorologists predict a beautiful South Florida afternoon for the 2026 Pegasus World Cup. The forecast calls for partly sunny skies with a high temperature of 27°C (81°F) and a low of 22°C (72°F). Humidity levels will hover around 79%, which is standard for Hallandale Beach in late January. A gentle breeze from the East at 10 mph will provide some relief for the horses and spectators alike. With only a 15% chance of precipitation during the day and 0% at night, the dirt track should remain "Fast" and the turf course "Firm." These conditions favor speed horses who appreciate a dry, consistent surface.
The Pegasus weekend serves as the pinnacle of the Gulfstream Park winter meet, featuring a "Who's Who" of trainers and jockeys. Friday serves as a delicious appetizer with several overnight stakes, but Saturday is the true feast for racing fans. Experts suggest looking closely at the early turf races, as the Pegasus World Cup betting pools for the Turf Invitational often provide massive value.
The dirt track at Gulfstream traditionally favors horses with tactical speed or those drawn in the inner posts. Because the 1 1/8-mile distance starts close to the first turn, jockeys must hustle their mounts early to avoid being caught wide. Pay close attention to the track bias in the early races of the day before you bet on Pegasus World Cup contenders in the feature.
The 2026 field brings together an eclectic mix of seasoned veterans and rising four-year-old stars. Here is the official breakdown of the contenders for the $3 million main event:
Brad H. Cox sends out the undefeated Disco Time as the heavy 8-5 morning-line favorite. Flavien Prat retains the mount on this son of Not This Time, coming off a dominant victory in the 136-rated Dwyer Stakes. Disco Time possesses a rare combination of high cruising speed and the ability to finish strongly. He drew the rail position, which means Prat must break alertly to maintain his tactical advantage. If he clears the field early, the rest of the pack will struggle to catch him. Many experts believe his 7.47 rating actually undersells his true ceiling in this Grade 1 environment.
Trainer David Fawkes hopes for an upset with British Isles, currently sitting at 20-1 in the Pegasus World Cup odds. This son of Justify showed grit when finishing second in the Native Diver Stakes with a 121 speed figure. Jockey Diego A. Herrera needs to find a way to navigate from the second post while avoiding the early speed duel. While his 6.89 rating is lower than the favorites', his pedigree suggests he can handle the nine-furlong distance without issue. He represents a live longshot for those looking to spice up their exacta and trifecta tickets.
John W. Sadler brings Full Serrano back to the East Coast following a respectable fifth-place finish in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Joel Rosario takes the reins on this son of Full Mast, who carries a strong 7.82 rating into the starting gate. At 12-1, he offers significant value for anyone looking to bet on Pegasus World Cup runners with proven Grade 1 experience. Full Serrano thrives on high-pressure paces, and Rosario is a master at timing his move. If the leaders falter in the final furlong, expect this horse to be charging down the center of the track.
David Jacobson enters Banishing, a Ghostzapper offspring with a 7.25 rating and 20-1 odds. Jose L. Ortiz takes the call, looking to replicate the horse's strong second-place performance in the Ring the Bell Stakes. Banishing has campaigned heavily and possesses the physical toughness required for a race of this magnitude. While he may lack the pure brilliance of the favorites, his consistency makes him a dangerous "bottom-of-the-ticket" inclusion. He usually sits just off the lead, waiting for the frontrunners to tire.
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. saddles the fan-favorite Skippylongstocking, a horse that knows every grain of sand at Gulfstream Park. Tyler Gaffalione rides this son of Exaggerator, who enters with a 7.65 rating and 15-1 odds. He won the Harlan's Holiday (G3) in his last start, proving he still has plenty of gas in the tank at age seven. This marks his fourth appearance in the Pegasus, and his tactical versatility allows Gaffalione to adjust to any pace scenario. He is a primary target for Pegasus World Cup odds enthusiasts who value track experience above all else.
You can never ignore a Bob Baffert trainee in a $3 million race. Madaket Road enters with Hall of Famer Mike E. Smith in the irons and 10-1 odds. Despite a fourth-place finish in the Malibu Stakes G1, his 6.97 rating and Baffert’s history of three Pegasus wins make him a serious contender. Baffert typically brings his horses to Florida ready to fire a career-best effort. If Madaket Road handles the shipping from California well, he could easily outrun his double-digit price.
Tappan Street represents the second half of the powerful Brad Cox entry. Luis Saez rides this son of Into Mischief, who carries a 7.22 rating and short 6-1 odds. He recently dominated an allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream with a 122 speed figure. Saez is arguably the best gate-rider in the country, and he will likely send Tappan Street right to the front or just outside the leader. This horse has the "look" of a champion and could provide the biggest challenge to his stablemate.
Eoin G. Harty enters Poster, a Munnings colt with a 7.36 rating and 20-1 odds. Junior Alvarado takes the mount following a narrow second-place finish in the Harlan's Holiday. Poster showed a massive amount of heart in that race, nearly upsetting Skippylongstocking at the wire. He likes to stalk the pace and should find a comfortable spot in the second flight of horses. For those looking to bet on Pegasus World Cup exotics, Poster is a must-use horse at a high price.
Todd A. Pletcher, a two-time Pegasus winner, sends out Captain Cook with legendary jockey John R. Velazquez. This Practical Joke colt sits at 15-1 odds with a 7.72 rating. Pletcher has spent the last few months sharpening this horse for the nine-furlong distance. While he finished second in the Perryville Stakes, his training works at Palm Beach Downs suggest he is reaching a new peak. Captain Cook possesses the tactical speed that Pletcher-trained horses usually utilize to great effect at Gulfstream.
Michael J. Maker enters Mika, a son of Catholic Boy with a 7.39 rating and 10-1 odds. Manuel Franco takes the mount after a brilliant second-place finish in the Cigar Mile, where the horse earned a massive 137 speed figure. Mika is a "need-the-lead" type who will likely burn up the track early. If he is allowed to dictate the terms without pressure, he could lead them on a merry chase all the way to the wire. His presence ensures the Pegasus World Cup odds market remains volatile until the gates open.
The defending champion returns to his favorite oval. White Abarrio, trained by Saffie A. Joseph, Jr., carries the highest rating in the field at 7.86 and is the 4-1 second choice. Irad Ortiz, Jr., who has won this race three times, takes the mount. While his recent form in the Jockey Club Gold Cup was disappointing, White Abarrio is a different animal when he hears the Gulfstream crowd. He won this race by over six lengths last year, and if he returns to that form, 4-1 will look like the steal of the century.
Jose Francisco D'Angelo sends out the 30-1 outsider Brotha Keny. Javier J. Castellano, a Hall of Fame rider, takes the mount on this son of Mo Town. He won the Zia Park Derby in his last start, but faces a monumental step up in class here. With a 6.34 rating, he is the lowest-ranked horse in the field. However, Castellano's expertise in big-money races means you cannot completely dismiss him from a superfecta spot if the pace collapses entirely.
The history of this race is filled with legends of the turf. Since its inception in 2017, we have seen Hall of Famers like Arrogate and Gun Runner use this race to cement their legacies.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Skippylongstocking | Tyler Gaffalione | Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. | 1:48.49 |
| 2025 | White Abarrio | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. | 1:48.50 |
| 2024 | National Treasure | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert | 1:56.16 |
| 2023 | Art Collector | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | 1:49.44 |
| 2022 | Life Is Good | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | 1:48.91 |
| 2021 | Knicks Go | Joel Rosario | Brad H. Cox | 1:47.89 |
| 2020 | Mucho Gusto | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Bob Baffert | 1:48.85 |
Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Bob Baffert dominate the record books, and both have major chances to add to their tallies in 2026. This race has historically favored horses coming off strong Breeders' Cup performances or those who have dominated the Florida winter circuit.
Handicapping the 2026 Pegasus requires a balance between respecting the "Young Guns" and acknowledging the "Gulfstream Gods." Disco Time is clearly the horse to beat, but his rail draw is a double-edged sword; he must break perfectly or risk getting shuffled back. I am personally leaning toward Tappan Street as the value play. He has already shown he loves this surface, and Luis Saez is lethal on the front end. Additionally, don't overlook White Abarrio simply because of a few bad races elsewhere. Some horses are "track horses," and White Abarrio's record in Florida is impeccable. When you look at the Pegasus World Cup odds, identify horses that can sit 2-3 lengths off a hot pace, as Mika and Disco Time will likely ensure a fast-opening half-mile.
When you prepare to bet on the Pegasus World Cup on Saturday, focus on the late Pick 4 and Pick 5 sequences. These pools often reach millions of dollars in liquidity, offering the best chance for a life-changing score. Use the Pegasus World Cup betting odds to find overlays (horses whose real-world chances are better than their betting price). For example, if White Abarrio drifts toward 5-1 or 6-1, he becomes an automatic play based on his course history. Conversely, if Disco Time drops below even money, it might be time to look for an upset. Always check the late scratches and track condition updates before placing your final wagers.
The 2026 Pegasus World Cup is not just a horse race; it is a cultural phenomenon that defines the winter racing season. Whether you are backing the undefeated Disco Time or rooting for the local hero White Abarrio, the atmosphere at Gulfstream Park will be electric.
Make sure your accounts are funded, and your research is finished before the first bell rings. This year’s field is one of the deepest in recent memory, promising a finish that will be talked about for years to come. Do not miss your chance to be part of history and potentially cash the biggest ticket of your life.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
