Gunnevera

Salomon Del Valle's Margoth purchased a spot in the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), confirming multiple graded stakes winner Gunnevera for North America's richest race Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park.

Gunnevera, who finished third in the 2018 Pegasus World Cup, most recently came in second in the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

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"I'm paying all the money myself," said Del Valle, a Venezuelan businessman who entered Gunnevera in a partnership in last year's Pegasus. "I'm happy to be in the race."

The Pegasus World Cup will be accompanied by the inaugural running of $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1T) on the day's undercard. Owners can secure a spot in the starting gate for the Pegasus World Cup for a $500,000 fee and will be given preference in purchasing a spot in the Pegasus World Cup Turf for $500,000. A $1 million bonus is being offered if an owner should win both races.

Gunnevera, who has $4.1 million in earnings, captured the 2017 Xpressbet Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream. The Antonio Sano-trained 4-year-old son of Dialed In  also won the 2016 Saratoga Special (G2) and the Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (G3), and placed in the 2017 Travers Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) and 2018 Woodward Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

"I have a good chance. He just got beat by a length in the Breeders' Cup," Sano said. "Maybe there will be more speed in the Pegasus. One more chance. It's in my house." 

In addition to Gunnevera, Hronis Racing's Breeders' Cup Classic winner Accelerate , Charles Fipke's Seeking the Soul, and Calumet Farm's Bravazo and True Timber are confirmed for the Pegasus World Cup. Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, and Derrick Smith's Coolmore has also purchased a spot for a horse to be determined.

Audible, the 2018 Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) winner, is also being pointed to the Pegasus World Cup and is scheduled to be entered in the Dec. 15 Harlan's Holiday Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream to prep. Owned by China Horse Club, WinStar Farm, Starlight Racing, and Head of Plains Partners, the Todd Pletcher-trained Audible finished third in this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).

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Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence's Patternrecognition, who defeated True Timber by three-quarters of a length in the Cigar Mile (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack last time out, is also under consideration for the Pegasus. 

The Stronach Group, currently negotiating with other groups, has only a few open spots remaining.