The only way the Pegasus World Cup Invitational could have produced more of a blockbuster experience was if the old monster grandstand was still intact and the 16,000-plus attendance had been more than 30,000, as it was for the Florida Derby in days gone by.  

    Here are the records that were smashed on this memorable weekend:

    *The combined handle for Saturday and Sunday topped $70 million: the previous record for a two-program handle was $48,792,000, on Florida Derby weekend last year. 

    *Saturday's Pegasus Cup day handle - $41,983,881 - was the largest single-day handle in the track's 79-year-history, excluding Breeders' Cup days:

    Sunday's program produced a handle of $28,079,000, with $15,788,000 wagered on the Rainbow Pick 6. 

    And, of course, anybody who doubted that Gun Runner is a very special horse changed his tune as the champ rolled down the stretch with West Coast straining to stay within hailing distance. 

    The Rainbow 6 didn't produce a multi-millionaire, but everybody who struck for six winners hit for $15,566, not a bad afternoon's pay. 

  

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