Pegasus World Cup Welcome Start to New Year

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Bernies Blog

When details were announced for the first Pegasus World Cup last year, reaction was, understandably, mixed. Would there be enough owners to support the $1 million buy-in? Would the public support the venture? The answer was a resounding "yes" on all counts and the event, including Arrogate vs. California Chrome, turned out to be one of the most important of the year on the thoroughbred calendar.

Pegasus World Cup II will be here soon - Jan. 27, to be exact - and the $12 million purse has been raised to $16 million, a record for any race, anywhere. It promises to be bigger than PWC No. 1. Among other things, the event provides an exciting welcome to the new year after the always-present lull following the Breeders' Cup.

Tickets for the event range from $75 to $1,000 and based on last year, that doesn't pose any problems. The appearance of celebs from the entertainment and sports world certainly didn't hurt and the number should increase this time around. Mike Ditka, Ray Lewis, Randy Moss, Tony Dorsett, Gene Simmons, Usher and Bobby Flay were among them.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.pegasusworldcup.com or by calling 1-833-464-7924.

HANA IN ACTION - The Horseplayers Association of North America doesn't receive much publicity but it has proven to be a major force, especially when it comes to the takeouts at tracks around the country. HANA is a vigorous supporter of lower takeouts and whenever a track raises its percentages, HANA springs into action.

When Keeneland announced a raise in takeout before the current meeting, HANA emailed its huge base, which includes many serious bettors, and called for a boycott of the meeting. It apparently made a dent, because handle at Keeneland for the first four days was down considerably in every category, from win-place-show to exotics.

HANA execs said Keeneland would probably dismiss the boycott and say that the negative handle situation was due to poor weather and field size. It will be interesting to follow this one and see if Keeneland's management understands that big bettors are very aware of outrageous takeouts, even if some will tell them it makes no difference.