The favorite horses for Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park were scratched 

It was a day of sobering news at Gulfstream Park on Thursday.

The top two favorites for Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup — Omaha Beach and Spun to Run — were scratched from the $3 million event, the richest race in Florida.

The stunning announcements, which came hours apart, reduced the Pegasus field to 10 and left it without a clear favorite or contender with star appeal.

Omaha Beach was scratched due to a leg injury while Spun to Run pulled out due to a skin condition. The two horses were listed at program odds of 7-5 and 7-2, respectively, for the Pegasus.

“It was observed this morning that Omaha Beach had light swelling in his right hind fetlock,” said the colt’s trainer, Richard Mandella. “While we were disappointed to have to miss the Pegasus World Cup, Omaha Beach’s safety and well-being comes first, and we wanted to do what was best for him.”

It’s not the first time Omaha Beach suffered a setback on the eve of a big race. Favored to win last year’s Kentucky Derby, the colt was scratched three days before the Run for the Roses with a breathing problem, one that knocked him out of the Triple Crown series.

But the latest incident of unfortunate timing before a race will be his last. He is being retired from the track to enter stud duty on the farm.

“He has been a pleasure to have around the barn and we are grateful for the opportunity to train such a magnificent horse,” Mandella said.

Omaha Beach finished with a record of five wins in 10 career starts and earnings of $1.6 million. He never finished worse than third, and many expected a big performance from him on Saturday.

While the loss of Omaha Beach left the Pegasus without a star attraction, the decision to scratch the injured horse was applauded by Gulfstream management.

“We appreciate the willingness of Mr. Mandella to put the safety of Omaha Beach above all else,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairman and President of The Stronach Group, which owns Gulfstream. “His decision was the right thing to do and reflects the new standard of care set for this year’s Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series.”

The surprising defection of the Pegasus favorite came a few hours after the trainer of Spun to Run said he was withdrawing his horse due to a skin condition.

“It happened within the last two weeks,” trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero told the Daily Racing Form. “He broke out in hives. It was on his stomach, back, all over his legs. He means so much to me, I’m almost crying.”

Spun to Run had defeated Omaha Beach in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in November at Santa Anita and the two were poised for a re-match.

The two scratches left the Pegasus without a clear favorite.

“I’m very sorry for the connections,” said trainer Patrick Biancone, who will send out Diamond Oops in the 1 1/8-mile stakes. “But it’ll make it a little bit easier for the other ones.”

The Bob Baffert-trained Mucho Gusto now looms as the possible betting favorite. Listed as the morning-line third choice at odds of 9-2, Mucho Gusto ran third in last year’s Travers at Saratoga.

Other top contenders include Higher Power (6-1), who is coming off a third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and Tax (8-1), the fourth-place finisher in the Belmont Stakes.

Saturday’s card also includes the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, and seven other stakes.

This story was originally published January 23, 2020 at 3:32 PM.