Expert Pick of the Week: 2026 Pegasus World Cup

Jan 21, 2026 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Disco Time descends from the same tap root mare as Northern Dancer (Photo by Coady Media)

An overflow field of 13 has been entered for Saturday’s lucrative, $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park. The race not only offers a huge purse, but the contest also serves as a ‘Win and You’re In’ tilt with the winner getting a berth in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

Trainer Brad Cox has a pair of major contenders entered in the wildly competitive race, including the undefeated Disco Time. A winner in each of his five races to date, the Juddmonte homebred went two-for-two as a two-year-old and three-for-three as a sophomore, and he is training in good fashion in anticipation of his toughest assignment yet, as well.

By fantastic sire Not This Time, the four-year-old has good speed from the gate but has also proven to be capable of winning from the back of the pack, too. He has a very good post on the inside to save ground throughout the race, and if new pilot Flavien Prat can negotiate a sensible trip for the colt, then I expect him to be a major contender in the late stages of the race in his first try at Gulfstream Park.

🕺 Disco Time dances in the Dwyer at Aqueduct under @flothejock for trainer @bradcoxracing! pic.twitter.com/8UhK70dEwe

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 8, 2025

Florida Derby (G1) victor Tappan Street, also conditioned by Brad Cox, has three wins and one second from four races in his lifetime. The horse brought $1 million at auction as a yearling and has raced at Gulfstream Park in each of his lifetime appearances to date. He is the last horse to defeat the mighty Sovereignty, and the four-year-old will take a big step forward on Saturday following an allowance win on this track, which came off a layoff of more than seven months.

Tappan Street often does his best work in the latter portion of his races, and in a field with numerous early runners signed on, the colt might receive a great setup to match his running style. His two swift morning workouts leading up to this race hint that he will be ready to run his best race against this group. Luis Saez, who guided the horse in his first three races, will once again be in the saddle.

Expert Pick

An exacta box with #1 Disco Time and #7 Tappan Street in the 2026 Pegasus World Cup is the Best Bet of the Week.