2023 Pegasus World Cup odds, predictions: Surprising picks from top horse racing expert who nailed Belmont

© Provided by CBS Sports

HALLANDALE, FLORIDA- JANUARY 25: Mucho Gusto with Irad Ortiz up wins the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on January 25, 2020 in Hallandale, Florida

Heading into Saturday's 2023 Pegasus World Cup, countless comparisons have been made between the morning line favorite, Cyberknife, and his sire, 2018 champion Gun Runner. Perhaps the most important similarity between the two, however, is that Cyberknife will break from the 10th post. While that isn't traditionally an advantageous position, it's the same one Gun Runner was loaded into during his title run. Cyberknife is the 5-2 favorite in the 2023 Pegasus World Cup odds, but he is only narrowly in front of several others that could run away with the win. Other top 2023 Pegasus World Cup contenders in the 12-horse field include Proxy (9-2), Skippylongstocking (5-1) and Defunded (6-1). Post time is 5:40 p.m. ET. Before locking in any 2023 Pegasus World Cup picks, be sure to see the horse racing predictions and bets from SportsLine's Jody Demling. 

A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling enters the 2023 Pegasus World Cup having nailed the winner of the Belmont Stakes four of the last fives years, including an exacta in 2022 with Mo Donegal and Nest. He also nailed Flightline's win at the Breeders' Cup Classic last November.

Demling is at his best in the biggest horse races in the world like the Pegasus World Cup 2023. In fact, he has hit 10 of the last 14 Derby-Oaks doubles at Churchill Downs. That means he held a ticket with the winners of both races all but four times in the last 14 years. He's also called nine of the last 18 Preakness winners, keenly understanding when the Kentucky Derby winner was poised for victory or a massive upset, and nailed the 2022 Preakness trifecta. Anyone who has followed him is up huge.

Now, he has handicapped the 2023 Pegasus World Cup field, made his picks and constructed his bets. You can only see them here.

Top 2023 Pegasus World Cup predictions

One surprise: Demling is fading Cyberknife, even though he's the race favorite at 5-2. Cyberknife is the only horse in the 2023 Pegasus World Cup field to come straight from the Breeders' Cup, but that does not mean there will be a lack of talent on the track. There are three horses coming out of Grade 1 races, including Proxy, who won the Clark at Churchill Downs in his most recent race, which was the same distance as the Pegasus World Cup 2023. Get Her Number and White Abarrio were both top-three finishers in the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, another Grade 1 event.

There are several other 2023 Pegasus World Cup horses who have a strong chance of winning Saturday's race, including Skippylongstocking. He won by two lengths in the Harlan's Holiday and has already won twice at this distance. Demling believes Cyberknife will be challenged by the field on Saturday, making it tough to justify his short price. See his picks here.

How to make 2023 Pegasus World Cup picks, bets

Instead, Demling's top pick is a sleeper who should go to the front early and whose jockey is the ultimate X-factor. He's also high on a big double-digit long shot who is "seemingly in good form." Demling is including these horses in his 2023 Pegasus World Cup bets, and so should you. He's sharing which horses to back only at SportsLine.

So what horse wins the Pegasus World Cup 2023? What double-digit longshot is a must-back? And how has Demling constructed his wagers? Check out the latest Pegasus World Cup odds 2023 below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling's picks for the Pegasus World Cup.

2023 Pegasus World Cup odds, contenders, horses, lineup