Eddie Mac’s Book: Handicapping Pegasus Day; Knicks Go in World Cup; Never Surprised in Turf

Kris Go is the 6-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park. He is 8-for-10 under Brad Cox and will be voted Horse of the Year and top older male at the Eclipse Awards ceremony on Feb. 10.

Knicks Go is the favorite for the Pegasus Day race. He hasn't regressed since the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Life Is Good is a 7-5 second choice. Irad Ortiz, Jr. will have to decide whether to chase or stalk Knicks Go.

Life Is Good is going for trainer Todd Pletcher. The horse is 2-for-2 in races going two turns. Mike Smith's mistake cost him the mount in the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens at Saratoga.

Life Is Good is a fast, brilliant horse. Cox thinks he's probably not going to let them have their own way.

There's always the chance that the favorites will cook each other and set it up for a longshot closer. Sir Winston (12-1) appears to be the most likely candidate. Life Is Good has 7-5 odds. Knicks Go can withstand a hot pace better.

Always Shopping won the La Prevoyante at Gulfstream last year, but she's lost six of seven since then. Beautiful Lover finished ahead of Always Shopping at 1 1/2 miles in November, and she was three lengths behind her when an even third last time.

Abaan (10) led throughout a stakes at 2 miles and can do it again. Temple (1) likes Gulfstream and was second in this stamina test last year. Glynn County (9) has run well against better and is solid at the distance.

$200,000 Inside Information (G2) is 7 furlongs for fillies and mares 4 and up. Just One Time (8) gets bonus points for her first-time connections Cox and Rosario. Defending champ Pacific Gale (6) will be fully cranked for the career-ending race. Four Graces (5) has an 0-for-4 slide.

Regal Glory is the favorite in the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Nicest performed well against the best last year and is eligible to improve in her third start off a layoff. Sweet Melania is a must for trifecta plays.

Fearless is 4-for-5 at Gulfstream and is a strong closer. Dennis’ Moment (7) was a 2-year-old phenom before losing six of his next seven. Speaker”s Corner (8) is Godolphin-Bill Mott production and must-use ticket.

$1,000,00 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) is 1 1/8 miles for 4-year-olds and up. Never Surprised (12) has enough speed to clear from the far outside into the turn and never look back in a contentious Pegasus TurF. Colonel Liam (6) could win again or struggle in his first run since June. Eddie Mac’s Book: Handicapping Pegasus Day is about the horses that will compete on the day.

March to the Arch is 2-for-5 at Gulfstream and 3- for-6 at 9 furlongs. Hit the Road zipped his final frailong in 23 seconds in his last three races.