Weather Adversely Affects Pegasus World Cup Handle
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Photo: Ryan Thompson
The field leaves the gate for the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park
The musical acts after the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series were Snoop Dogg and Mark Ronson, but at least one song from B.J. Thomas would have been appropriate.
On a day dampened by rain that soaked Gulfstream Park's main and turf tracks, "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" was a far more appropriate tune than "Drop It Like It's Hot."
With three of the day's 12 races switched from the turf course to the main track and a total of 25 scratches, total wagering checked in at $37,786,967, the lowest handle of the three editions of the Pegasus.
That figure represented a 10% drop from the 2018 handle of $41,983,881. The inaugural Pegasus Day attracted total wagering of $40,217,924.
The on-track handle of $4.123 million was only marginally less than the 2018 figure of $4.131 million. Attendance was unavailable.
Among the scratches was recently crowned male turf champion Stormy Liberal, who did not run when the $150,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes was moved to the sloppy (sealed) main track.
"It was an incredible day of racing and entertainment," Gulfstream Park general manager Bill Badgett said. "There was great energy throughout the building, and despite the conditions with three off-the-turf races, the day was a great success and continues to build on The Stronach Group's modernization of Thoroughbred racing. We want to thank the fans, horsemen, and athletes."