2018 Breeders' Cup Classic Winner Headlines $16 Million Pegasus World Cup Championship

Accelerate, the 2018 Breeders' Cup Classic winner and a Horse of the Year finalist, headlines the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series this Saturday, Jan. 26, live at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC, from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.

Accelerate has six victories in his last seven starts and looks to finish his career with a win on Saturday. He will break from the #5 post and is a 9-5 favorite on Tuesday's morning line. Joining him in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational field are 2018 Breeders' Cup DIRT Mile winner City of Light (second choice at 5-2), 2018 Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Gunnevera (8-1), Preakness STAKES runner-up Bravazo (12-1), and KENTUCKY DERBY third-place finisher Audible (10-1). Headlining the $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational is multiple Grade 1 STAKES winner Yoshida, who will race alongside 2018 Breeders' Cup Mile runner-up Catapult and Japanese filly Aerolithe in the 1-3/16 mile turf race.

In its first year as a championship series, the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series will include the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), to be contested on the DIRT at 1-1/8 miles offering $4 million for the winner of the expected 12-horse field, and the $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1), the richest turf race in North America.

Laffit Pincay III hosts Saturday's coverage, alongside Hall of Fame jockey and analyst Jerry Bailey; analyst Randy Moss; and reporters Nick Luck andBritney Eurton. The broadcast will also showcase the Pegasus "blue" carpet, and celebrity and live entertainment event elements from Gulfstream Park.Snoop Dogg and Mark Ronson will perform at the event, and are expected to be interviewed during the broadcast.

Analyst/handicapper and U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer Eddie Olczyk will partake in a special pucks and ponies "daily double" this weekend, as he will join the Pegasus broadcast via remote from San Jose, where he'll call the 2019 NHL ALL-STAR GAME in primetime on Saturday (8 p.m. ET on NBC). During the NHL All-Star Skills competition on Friday night (9 p.m. ET on NBCSN), Olczyk will offer his insight on the races, and may provide some early tips.

All coverage will be streamed live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app - NBC Sports Group's live streaming product for mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs.

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: In addition to the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series, NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown, the Breeders' Cup World Championships, and Royal Ascot. NBC has been the exclusive home of the KENTUCKY DERBY and the Preakness STAKES since 2001, and the Belmont STAKES since 2011, when NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown.

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