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2020 Pegasus World Cup Champion: The Best of Mucho Gusto

Mucho Gusto, a 4-year-old chestnut-colored stallion, holds its newest victory in the Pegasus World Cup this year at Hallandale Beach, Florida. With an Equibase Speed figure of 112 and having Irad Ortiz Jr. as his jockey, Mucho Gusto outran his rivals, Bodexpress and Mr. Freeze, from the front rank to the finish line. To check out some information on the race and its other competitors, TVG has the list of contenders for this racing event.

Mucho Gusto was foaled on April 26, 2016, bred by Teneri Farm Inc. at Kentucky. His thoroughbred abilities were inherited from his dam and sire, itsaGiant’sCauseway and Mucho Macho Man, respectively. With rigid training from trainer Bob Baffert, this stallion became one of the Top 100 racehorses since 2000, with recent earnings of $3,162,000.

For Mucho Gusto’s race record, here’s a list of his best races throughout his career.

Career Debut at Los Alamitos Race Course
On September 20, 2018, his maiden special weight race on the Los Alamitos was an impressive win, with Joe Talamo as his jockey. The colt had a consistent lead from the start to the finish line, with the time record 1:10.14 despite running on multiple paths on the course.

On his debut race, he had a four-length runway course, wearing blinkers. When the race started, he automatically took the lead with Two Fifty Coup. The foe pressured Mucho Gusto’s outside through an opening quarter-mile at 21.96 seconds.

But on their turn to the race track, Mucho Gusto gained a neck lead. With a wide gap from the others, he reached the line first and determined as the winner. After winning on his debut race, he was tested in stakes competitions, starting at the Bob Hope Stakes.

First Stake Competition at the Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar
Without much breaks from his previous race, Mucho Gusto entered the Bob Hope Stakes on November 17, 2018. His race had a seven-furlong dirt runway course. During that time, Joe Talamo was still his jockey.

Mucho Gusto set a quick pace at the start of the race. Contesting with Savagery in the first chute, Mucho Gusto was able to outpace him with a one-length on the backstretch. At the midway turn, he dodged a two-pronged attack from Savagery on the frontrunner, with Sparky Ville and Extra Hope on the behind. He dug in on the inside and drove a lengthy gap on the stretch that led first to the finish line.

It was a two-straight win on his race record. The victory was extra special as it was the first stakes win for Mucho Gusto.
Grade 3 Debut at Robert B. Lewis Stakes. 

While Mucho Gusto engaged at stakes, he got better in every race, as witnessed by his jockey, Joe Talamo. On February 2, 2019, at Santa Anita Park, the colt proved his prowess when he won the race. The track has a sloppy, seven-furlong in length runway, and Mucho Gusto was able to finish it within 1:41:81.

Using stalking tactics, Mucho Gusto had his intended late advance in the backstretch. Gunmetal Gray and Easy Shot were on the early lead. But he surpassed Kid Cantina without pace pressure and slipped through Magnificent McCool’s opening at 46.55.

As they hit on the track’s six furlongs at 1:10:51, Mucho Gusto made his move to the front and dominated the frontrunners with a head-length gap. Four ¾ miles away from his contenders, the colt set his foot first on the finish line.

Mucho Gusto’s third win in this stake boosted Joe’s confidence. The colt was good for the jockey as it does its great job without being instructed.

The Laz Barrera Stakes at Santa Anita Park
On May 18, 2019, the Laz Barrera Stakes was an easy win for Mucho Gusto. He remained composed despite struggling to keep the lead. The colt recorded 1:22.96 on the seven-furlong course.

Mucho Gusto broke out quickly on the starting post with Principe Carlo. The other frontrunner gave him pressure throughout the first quarter-mile at 22.41. seconds. But Mucho Gusto had a steady lead at the turn and even exceeded Vantastic’s hurdles. He gained the lead and got first on the finish line, receiving a hand ride from his jockey.

It was his second win on the stake in his third grade. Gave another impression on his trainer and got good compliments on his jockey for his composure during the race.

The Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Held at the same location on June 16, 2019, Mucho Gusto’s victory at that race was his first straight win in his stakes competitions. His victory was also a second straight graded stake for his owner, Michael Lund Petersen.

Mucho Gusto was in fourth position at the break-out from the starting post. The race was led by Visitant on the half-length through the first half-mile at 48.92 seconds. Mucho Gusto moved far from his track on the turn and avoided a challenge from Kingly. The colt made his move on his left on the stretch, surpassing his rival by 2 2/4 length gap at the finish line to win.

Takeaway
It’s no doubt that Mucho Gusto followed his predecessor’s steps to become one of the most famous thoroughbreds in horse racing. Despite his achievements, he’s still making his way to prestigious horse races and improving under Baffert’s excellent training. It’s no wonder this rising colt is well known in the horse racing world.
 

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