3 minute read

Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori are set to clash in the Florida sun with the pair aboard the two market leaders in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf.

The market favours Dettori's mount Without Parole , winner of the St James's Palace Stakes in 2018 and third in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile on his first start for Chad Brown.

Brown told Daily Racing Form: "He has a nice, cozy post inside, he's been training very well. I don't think he'll have any problem with the distance. He's been very good on firm ground and as long as it stays that way I couldn't like his chances any better."

Moore is back on the globetrotting Magic Wand, making her 11th start outside of Europe. She won a Group 1 in Australia in November before losing out by a short head in the Hong Kong Cup last time.

The Peter Miller-trained Mo Forza warrants plenty of respect having scored on his last four starts.

The complexion of this $3m event changed dramatically on Thursday when the two at the top of the market – Omaha Beach and Spun To Run – were scratched.

That news would have put a smile on the faces of connections of Mucho Gusto and Higher Power, who are battling it out for favoritism.

Mucho Gusto posted some smart form last year, including when second to Maximum Security – controversially disqualified after winning the Kentucky Derby – in the Haskell Invitational.

The John Sadler-trained Higher Power is one of two top-level scorers in the race. He was a five-and-a-quarter-length winner of the Pacific Classic Stakes and went on to finish third in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Sadler told Daily Racing Form: "He's training super, as good as ever if not better."

"I think he's effective anywhere from a mile and an eighth [1m1f] to a mile and a quarter [1m2f]. When he runs a big race he doesn't need to close from far back. The key is to get away."