Playing the Late Pick 5 on Pegasus World Cup Day

While a good chunk of the country will be in the midst of, or bracing for, bad wintry weather, conditions in suburban Miami on Saturday should be plenty ideal for Pegasus World Cup Day at Gulfstream Park. As has been my custom for some years, I'll be taking a swing at the Late Pick 5.

• 50-cent ticket: 1,6 with 4,7,8,12 with 1,3,11 with 2,10 with 1,7 = $48

Race 9: W.L. McKnight (G3), 3:13 p.m. ET

Arguably the weakest stakes on the card from a class perspective, so only like a couple for the win. #1 Zverev (6-1) looks like a stereotypical Mike Maker claim who appears on the verge of breaking through in a Grade 3 turf marathon like this, a race Maker has won five times since 2017. Zverev won all three starts for the barn to date, and the hope is his reserves have not yet been exhausted. #6 Missed the Cut (6-1) was the beaten favorite in all three stakes attempts last term while encountering trouble in a couple. He does have sufficient back class, and perhaps got enough out of his shorter allowance prep last month to contend here.

Race 10: Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G2), 3:45 p.m. ET

#7 Whiskey Decision (9-2) is a lukewarm morning line favorite, but worth using based on her victories last season in the Eatontown (G3) and Athenia S., both of which produced competitive speed ratings. #8 Proctor Street (12-1) has been a longtime favorite of mine and might be poised to earn her first graded win after capturing the Cardinal S. at Churchill Downs in November with a nifty splitting of rivals through the stretch. #4 Breath Away (8-1) was not embarrassed in a couple of tough spots at Del Mar in November, while #12 Movin' On Up (12-1) has run strongly in all three attempts over this course.

Race 11: Inside Information (G2), 4:18 p.m. ET

#3 Jody's Pride (4-1) narrowly missed winning this race a year ago and later won the Ruffian (G2) in good time. Obviously, going to draw a line through her last two attempts on the grass. #1 Indy Bay (9-2) was a fairly dependable sort until a poor run in the 1 1/16-mile Cotillion (G1), in which she was eased. Back sprinting and seemingly working well for this. #11 Grand Job (6-1) faded badly in her allowance comeback at Churchill after dueling through ridiculously fast splits. Breaks outside other speeds here and is capable of much better.

Race 12: Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), 4:54 p.m. ET

#2 Program Trading (5-2) was one of the better turf horses in the country in early 2024 and then was sidelined for more than a year. Returned solidly last fall to finish second in the Bernard Baruch S. and Coolmore Turf Mile (G1), and simply couldn't work out a trip in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). Nine furlongs is more his wheelhouse anyway. #10 Cugino (7-2) is also very logical based on recent form.

Race 13: Pegasus World Cup (G1), 5:39 p.m. ET

Although #1 Disco Time (8-5) figures a massive underlay, given the softish fields he's been beating, the figs basically point him out as the horse to beat. And I wasn't too keen on stablemate #7 Tappan Street (6-1) going into this, based on his workmanlike allowance comeback last month. However, this horse did manage to be the only one to defeat Horse of the Year Sovereignty last season, and over this track and trip.