A $70,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase, the chestnut won the G3 Negishi S. over 1400 metres at Toyko in January and silenced those who questioned his ability to stay an extra furlong when running out a comfortable winner of the G1 February S. the following month. Sent to Dubai for the G1 Golden Shaheen over a 1200-metre journey that was too sharp, he was only 10th, but rebounded with a front-running romp in the Listed Mile Championship Nambu Hai Oct. 9. He tries a two-turn route for the first time and Ryusei Sakai will have to judge it right from the 15 hole.

“While there is a worry about the 1800 metres this time, and how balanced he might be in the run, he's been successful so far, so we can only think of him making a big challenge here,” said trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka. “It'll be interesting to see what kind of race he can run. We'll rely on the jockey to get the best out of him.”

重戦車のような力強さが伝わる一枚を。
レモンポップです。水曜朝のワンシーン。#レモンポップ#チャンピオンズＣ pic.twitter.com/0s78euWIN1

— 日刊ゲンダイ　競馬 (@gendai_keiba) December 1, 2023

Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) was an unlucky loser of this year 12 months ago, but has put together a very formidable record this season. Fifth to Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai World Cup in March at Meydan–site of his 2022 G2 UAE Derby score–the dark bay was just beaten by Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro) in the valuable Listed Teio Sho June 28 and overwhelmed compatriot Gloria Mundi (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) by 10 lengths in the G3 Korea Cup at Seoul Sept. 10.

“There are some strong horses in the race again this year, but with the condition he's in, it should put him right up there with them,” commented trainer Koichi Shintani. “He hasn't been losing by much in his previous races, and the way he won last time in Korea certainly gives us confidence here.”

T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister), the 2021 Champions Cup winner and fourth last year, has acquitted himself well without winning this term. Fourth in the World Cup, he was a head behind Crown Pride in the Teio Sho and third to the progressive King's Sword (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) and Notturno (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the Listed JBC Classic Nov. 3.

Three-year-old Seraphic Call (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) is the X-factor in the Champions Cup, as he is perfect from his five starts to date, all this season. After winning his first four in the lower grades, he rattled home from the latter half of the field to stamp his authority on Kyoto's G3 Miyako S. Nov. 5, pulling away to best Make a Leap (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) by three emphatic lengths.

A pair of females are in this year's line-up, including JBC Ladies' Classic heroine Icon Tailor (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), and Ater Astraea (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), beaten 4 1/2 lengths into third in the same event.`

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Japan took the first three runnings of the Cup in which they were represented from 2016-2018 and finished third with favored Sekifu (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) last year as Winner's Man (Kor) (Musket Man) led home a local 1-2 over Raon the Fighter (Kor) (Bayern) following a two-year, COVID-enforced postponement of the features. Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), last year's G2 UAE Derby hero and GI Kentucky Derby participant, was joined on the trip over by Gloria Mundi (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), less heralded, but six-from-eight on dirt, including a Group 3 when last seen in May.

With Yuga Kawada in for the afternoon, Crown Pride was bet into $1.30 (3-10) favoritism and made light work of it, taking over at the midway stage, turning back a mild bid from Gloria Mundi nearing the straight and careering away under a hold to take it by 10 lengths over his compatriot. Winner's Man ran on for third, while Hong Kong raider Apache Star (Aus) (War Chant) faded into ninth after racing prominently early.

' ?!?!

Training assistant to Koichi Shintani, Matsuda has travelled the world with CROWN PRIDE and is very excitable after the horse's 10-length Korea Cup win! #クラウンプライド #競馬 pic.twitter.com/wAAJdIhu5H

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) September 10, 2023

Koji Maeda's Remake (Jpn) (Lani) was third in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint and a troubled fifth in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen earlier in the year and prepped for the Korea Sprint with a facile success in listed company at Morioka last month. Also favoured at 30 cents on the dollar, the homebred sat a midfield trip for Kawada, went for an inside run into the stretch and raced past pacesetting Beolmaui Star (Kor) (To Honor and Serve) to score by four easy lengths in track-record time. The well-traveled Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), a winner at group level in Dubai in 2022 and in Saudi Arabia this term, ran on for third ahead of Hong Kong's Duke Wai (NZ) (Per Incanto), who rallied from well back for fourth. Defending champ Eoma Eoma (Algorithms) was fifth.

Foreign targets in the immediate future for the winners could include Breeders' Cup appearances, though Crown Pride could be pointed for the valuable JBC Classic in November or December's G1 Champions Cup, in which he was narrowly defeated last season. Remake is also a candidate for the JBC Sprint and/or the G3 Capella S., which marked his first win at stakes level in 2022.

Sunday, Seoul, South Korea
KOREA CUP-G3, ₩1,600,000,000 ($1,196,000), Seoul, 9-10, 3yo/up, 1800m, 1:51.5, gd.
1–CROWN PRIDE (JPN), 126, c, 4, by Reach the Crown (Jpn)
1st Dam: Emmy's Pride (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Emmy's Smile (Jpn), by Agnes Tachyon (Jpn)
3rd Dam: Hemisphere (Jpn), by White Muzzle (GB)
O-Teruya Yoshida; B-Shadai Farm; T-Koichi Shintani; J-Yuga Kawada; ₩880,000,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-UAE, G1SP-Jpn, 12-4-4-0, $3,632,652. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Gloria Mundi (Jpn), 126, h, 5, King Kamehameha (Jpn)–Bettolle (Ity), by Blu Air Force (Ire). O-Kazumi Yoshida; B-Northern Racing; T-Ryuji Okubo; J-Ryusei Sakai; ₩352,000,000.
3–Winner's Man (Kor), 126, h, 5, Musket Man–Winner's Marine (Kor), by Volponi. O-Lee Gyeong Hui; B-Kim Gi Seok; T-Choi Ki Hong; J-Seo Seung Un; ₩224,000,000.
Margins: 10, 5, HF. Odds: 0.30, 3.40, 17.40.
Also Ran: Success Macho (Kor), Haengbok Wangja, Tuhonui Banseok, Crazy Conti, Global Hit (Kor), Apache Pass (Aus), Simjangui Godong (Kor), Brigadier General (Aus), Tiz Barows (Kor), The Gumpu, Moohnak Chief. Scratched: Complete Value (Kor).

Sunday, Seoul, South Korea
KOREA SPRINT-G3, ₩1,200,000,000 ($897,000), Seoul, 9-10, 3yo/up, 1200m, 1:10 (NTR), gd.
1–REMAKE (JPN), 126, c, 4, by Lani
1st Dam: Sariel (Jpn) (GSP-Jpn, $888,410), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Shinko Nobby, by Nashwan
3rd Dam: Christabelle, by Northern Dancer
O-Koji Maeda; B-North Hills Co Ltd; T-Koichi Shintani; J-Yuga Kawada; ₩770,000,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Jpn, GSP-KSA, 14-7-2-2, $1,891,484. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Beolmaui Star (Kor), 126, c, 4, To Honor and Serve–Gaya Gongju (Kor), by War Zone. O-Lee Jong Hun; B-Kim Geun Young; T-Baik Kwang Yeol; J-Seo Seung Un; ₩308,000,000.
3–Bathrat Leon (Jpn), 126, h, 5, Kizuna (Jpn)–Bathrat Amal (Jpn), by New Approach (Ire). O-Hiroo Race Co Ltd; B-Mishima Bokujo; T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Ryusei Sakai; ₩196,000,000.
Margins: 4, 2HF, 2HF. Odds: 0.30, 47.80, 3.70.
Also Ran: Duke Wai (NZ), Eoma Eoma, Daehan Jilju, Morfhis, Ssonsal, Calm Strong, Raon Tap Man (Kor), Black Musk, Clean Up Happy (Kor), Yes Perfect, Good Pilseung, East Jet (Kor).

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Meisho Hario bounced alertly from gate four, but drifted back through the field, as Silk Racing's well-backed Promised Warrior (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior) made the running. Crown Pride, the 2022 G2 UAE Derby winner, landed in the box seat for Yuga Kawada, while T O Keynes raced in that one's slipstream a few lengths in arrears. Riding for luck into the straight, Kawada sent Crown Pride through inside of a weakening Promised Warrior with a furlong to travel and set sail for the wire, but Meisho Hario kept grinding away farther out into the track and got the better of the bobber.

Meisho Hario returned 18-1 when besting mutliple G1 Dubai World Cup placer Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in this event 12 months ago and closed the season with a third to future World Cup hero Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the Dec. 29 G1 Tokyo Daishoten over Wednesday's course and distance. An excellent third to Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) in the G1 February S. Feb. 19, Meisho Hario was exiting a victory in the Listed Kashiwa Kinen at NAR Funabashi May 4.

A half-brother to T O Royal, third to Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) in the 2022 G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) over 3200 metres, Meisho Hario has a 2-year-old half-brother by Drefong, a yearling half-brother by Bricks and Mortar and a half-sister by Rey de Oro (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) foaled May 17. Third dam Amizette (Forty Niner), a full-sister to former Japanese-based stallion Twining and a half to American champion Althea, produced European MGSW King of Rome (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and US GSW/GISP Super Espresso (Medaglia d'Oro).

Wednesday's Results:
TEIO SHO (Jpn-G1)-Listed, ¥136,000,000 (£745,008/€862,648/$941,392), Oi, 6-28, 4yo/up, 2000m, 2:01.90, gd.
1–MEISHO HARIO (JPN), 126, h, 6, Pyro–Meisho Ohi (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). O-Yoshio Matsumoto; B-Mishima Bokujo;   T-Inao Okada; J-Suguru Hamanaka; ¥80,000,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & MG1SP-Jpn, 22-9-2-4, ¥451,305,000. *1/2 to T O Royal (Leontes {Jpn}), GSW & G1SP-Jpn, $1,322,843.
2–Crown Pride (Jpn), 126, c, 4, Reach the Crown (Jpn)–Emmy's Pride (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). O-Teruya Yoshida; B-Shadai Farm; ¥28,000,000.
3–T O Keynes (Jpn), 126, h, 6, Sinister Minister–Maxim Cafe (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). O-Tomoya Ozasa; B-Yanagawa Bokujo; ¥16,000,000.
Margins: NO, HD, 4. Odds: 2.90, 6.30, 2.00.
Click for the goracing.jp chart.

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Following Wednesday's post position draw, Yahagi declared himself pleased enough with having been assigned the one hole, saying simply, 'gotta go.' And jockey Yutaka Yoshida followed the script to a 'T', kicking the entire straight into the lead, as G1 Satsuki Sho hero Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong), an unknown commodity on the dirt, raced closest in attendance to the pace, while 'TDN Rising Star' Taiba (Gun Runner) was pulled out wide to stalk that pair. Traveling like a seasoned main-track horse while racing a few paths off the rail into the turn, Panthalassa skipped along comfortably and hit the quarter pole with a clear advantage over Geoglyph. By this stage, Taiba had hoisted the white flag, and at one point with about a quarter mile to the finish, the top four spots were occupied by the Japanese. Geoglyph boxed on very gamely and dual G1 February S. hero Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah) loomed a brief threat between rivals after being steered down the inside 800 metres out by Joao Moreira, but Panthalassa kept finding and was home narrowly best.

Country Grammer (Tonalist) was trapped out about five wide for much of the journey, and he looked to be struggling beneath Frankie Dettori as the field hit the final three furlongs. But in a manner similar to last year's G1 Dubai World Cup, he found his second wind and rattled home down the centre  of the track to set him up beautifully for a return trip to Meydan next month. He was also second to Emblem Road (Quality Road) in last year's race.

“At the top of the straight, I thought, 'Oh god, I'm going to finish sixth' but he just has too much heart,” Dettori said. “He wants a mile and a quarter [2000m]. Super result.”

Cafe Pharoah edged Geoglyph for third, completing a 6-year-old trifecta, while Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) made for a 1-3-4-5 finish for Japan. These winning connections also celebrated the 1351 Turf Sprint with Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}).

“Mr Yahagi said to me to ride my race and I would get a good result,” commented the 47-year-old Yoshida, who was in the saddle for Panthalassa's dead-heat victory in last year's G1 Dubai Turf. “So, I didn't think about the surface. I just rode my race and thought if he adapts to the track, it would be all right. Of course, they were coming for me in the straight, but Panthalassa always found another gear and so I kept riding. It is an unforgettable moment and I am very happy to have ridden the winner.”

Yahagi added: “I really can't believe it. I don't know if it is real at the moment. I think I was correct that my feeling was right that he could handle the dirt. You know this is not easy. Japanese racing tries everything to improve and develop. Japanese horse racing has become more international. Of course, this is the best feeling as the prize-money is the best!”

Yahagi's international conquests are now well-documented, but bear repeating. Having sent out Deep Brillante (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to win the 2012 G1 Tokyo Yushun at home, Yahagi saddled Real Steel (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to victory in the 2016 Dubai Turf. In 2019, Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) gave the stable a memorable success in the G1 Cox Plate in Melbourne, while in 2021, Real Steel's full-sister Loves Only You (Jpn) won a pair of Group 1s in Hong Kong and was one of two landmark winners for Yahagi and Japan at that year's Breeders' Cup meeting at Del Mar. At last year's Saudi Cup meeting, he added the G3 Longines Red Sea H. with Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), who would go on to take the G2 Dubai Gold Cup four weeks later in Dubai, one of three winners on the evening for Yahagi.

Victorious in the G2 Nakayama Kinen last February as a springboard to the Dubai Turf, Panthalassa found Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and–likely–the 11 furlongs of the G1 Takarazuka Kinen a task too tall, finishing 11th in that June 26 test. Outgamed by the flashy Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in August's G2 Sapporo Kinen over 2000 metres, the bay opened a lead of as many as 15 lengths in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Toyko Oct. 30 and fought on bravely into deep stretch before being reeled in by eventual Horse of the Year Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}). A well-bet 24-5 in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup in December, he failed to produce anything close to his best and finished well down the field.

Pedigree Notes:

Panthalassa's Saudi Cup is yet another feather in the cap of the outstanding Lord Kanaloa, who has sired Group 1 winners over sprint trips (Danon Smash {Jpn}, Tagaloa {Aus}), going a mile (Stelvio {Jpn}, Danon Scorpion {Jpn}) and Classic winners (Horse of the Year and Filly Triple Crown heroine Almond Eye {Jpn} and Saturnalia {Jpn}) from just six crops of racing age. Panthalassa is the stallion's first Group 1 winner on dirt.

Panthalassa is one of five winners from eight to the races for his dam, a 50,000gns purchase by the BBA Ireland at Tattersalls October in 2003 who was twice third from seven trips to the races in Japan as a 3-year-old before being retired. Miss Pemberley, whose female family includes the likes of Croco Rouge (Ire) and Alidiva (Ire), has a 2-year-old colt by Kizuna (Jpn) and her last listed produce is a yearling colt by Rey de Oro (Jpn), a Tokyo Yushun-winning son of Lord Kanaloa's late sire King Kamehameha (Jpn).

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
SAUDI CUP-G1, $20,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-25, 4yo/up, 1800m, 1:50.80, ft.
1–PANTHALASSA (JPN), 126, h, 6, by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)
1st Dam: Miss Pemberley (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: Stitching (Ire), by High Estate (Ire)
3rd Dam: Itching (Ire), by Thatching (Ire)
O-Hiroo Race Co Ltd; B-PANGLOSS Y K, Toshihiro Hirosaki et al; T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Yutaka Yoshida; $10,000,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-UAE, MGSW & G1SP-Jpn, 25-7-6-0, $14,418,903. *1/2 to Etendard (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), GSP-Jpn, $770,677; and Dimension (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), MGSP-Jpn, $1,030,766. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Country Grammer, 126, h, 6, Tonalist–Arabian Song, by Forestry. ($60,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP; $450,000 2yo '19 OBSAPR; $110,000 HRA '21 KEEJAN). O-Zedan Racing Stables, WinStar Farm & Commonwealth Thoroughbreds; B-Scott & Debbie Pierce (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Frankie Dettori; $3,500,000.
3–Cafe Pharoah, 126, h, 6, American Pharoah–Mary's Follies, by More Than Ready. ($475,000 2yo '19 OBSMAR). O-Koichi Nishikawa; B-Paul P Pompa (KY); T-Noriyuki Hori; J-Joao Moreira; $2,000,000.
Margins: 3/4, HF, HD. Odds: 15-1, 7-2, 14-1.
Also Ran: Geoglyph (Jpn), Crown Pride (Jpn), Emblem Road, Jun Light Bolt (Jpn), Taiba, Remorse (Ire), Lagertha Rhyme (Ire), Vin de Garde (Jpn), Sunset Flash (Ire), Scotland Yard.

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Wherever and whenever horses from Japan show up on the world stage, recent history dictates that they are to be taken very seriously.

As recently as 12 months ago at the Saudi Cup meeting, horses representing the island nation accounted for four of the evening's six big races, and a month later in yet another desert destination, they somehow managed to one-up themselves with a spectacular five-timer on Dubai World Cup night. The nation has yet–repeat, yet–to break through in either of the world's eight-figure races on the dirt, but they will have every chance to rewrite history just past 8:30 local time Saturday when a half-dozen accomplished Japanese runners take on seven others in the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.

The most accomplished of the group at Saturday's nine-furlong distance on the dirt is Jun Light Bolt (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), who earned an automatic berth in the Cup via his last-gasp defeat of 2022 G2 UAE Derby hero Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) in the G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo last December (see below). Purchased for better than $1 million as a yearling at the JRHA Select Sale, the bay won four of 21 starts on the grass, but has been reborn with the surface switch; the Champions Cup was his third win from four runs on the main track. He'll carry saddle towel six from barrier number six.

“Several front-runners drew inside so there is going to be plenty of early speed,” said trainer Yasuo Tomomichi. “I believe he can settle anywhere the jockey wants to be.”

WATCH: Jun Light Bolt up late in the Champions Cup

Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is expected to be part of the early pace, as he drew the inside stall Wednesday. Having dead-heated for the victory in last year's G1 Dubai Turf, he ran a couple of blinders in defeat in the G2 Sapporo Kinen and particularly in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), where he dared them to catch him after opening a monstrous lead and was only run down in the final yards. He makes a second start on dirt for the charismatic Yoshito Yahagi, who was matter of fact as relates to the draw.

“I never think about the numbers but number one should be a good number,” he said. “There's only one instruction–gotta go!”

Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah) is the most prolific Japanese Group 1 dirt horse and passed up an opportunity for a third straight February S. in favour of Saudi riches. He'll have to negotiate a trip from gate 13 with Joao Moreira up.

“Cafe Pharoah has won the [February S.], and if you're able to win that race, you have to have a lot of ability,” the 'Magic Man' said. “I'd be very surprised if he runs a poor race. He's solid, strong, big, and apparently he knows what his job is. I'll be very surprised if he's not finishing in the top four.”

Though it would be no shock to see them run well, G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) hero Geoglyph (Jpn), a son of American dirt sprint champion Drefong, and the well-traveled Vin de Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), right there in last year's Dubai Turf, would be nevertheless be considered upset winners, all things considered.

Don't Sleep On The Locals…

Emblem Road (Quality Road) gave the home team its first win with a stunning victory over Country Grammer (Tonalist) in the big race last year and is back to defend his title. Fifth as the surprising favourite in the G3 Grand Prix de Vichy–a lone start on the turf–last July, the 5-year-old resumed with a smooth four-length conditions success in strong time Jan. 13 (video, SC 4).

“I'm so happy with the number eight, he's a late horse from the gate, so I can be outside easily,” said jockey Alexis Moreno. “He's doing very well, he's run well and I hope he can do it again.”

The commonly owned Scotland Yard (Quality Road), a graduate of the Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age Sale, has earned his way into the Saudi Cup with three wins on the trot, including a 10 1/4-length romp over Electability (Quality Road)–winner of a $500,000 handicap Friday–in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup Jan. 28 (video, SC 16).

Saudi Arabia is also represented by the two females in the race, former Polish champion Lagertha Rhyme (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) and Sunset Flash (Ire) (Mayson {GB}).

Remorse (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) ships over from Dubai for Bhupat Seemar, having run a distant third to the G1 Dubai World Cup-bound Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 at Meydan three weeks ago. —Alan Carasso

Will Waters Part For Subjectivist In Red Sea Turf?

A baker's dozen line up in the G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. over 3000 metres on grass, and the $2.5-million dollar question is if multiple Group 1 winner Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) has returned to his formidable best after overcoming a tendon injury and 600-plus days away from the races.

Trainer Charlie Johnston was still an assistant to his father, Mark, when the bay stormed to victories in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak in October of 2020, the G2 Dubai Gold Cup in March of 2021 and the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot later that June. It is a big ask for the 6-year-old, but Johnston is happy with his star's progress.

“It is a feeling of the unknown,” said Johnston. “We wouldn't be here if we didn't feel we would be competitive. Can I have the same confidence I had two years ago? No. This horse is coming back from a serious tendon injury, a tendon injury that in a lot of cases is career-ending. It is not like a bone injury that you know would have repaired to 100%.

“Stall 13 wouldn't have been my first choice of where to jump from, but it is what we've got and we just have to make the best of the situation.

“The horse seems in good fettle with himself and it's all systems go. I think he is showing the signs of a horse who has spent 20 months away from the track and he was always quite a difficult horse to lead up, particularly on a raceday going back a couple of years, so it doesn't concern me to see him full of himself.”

HE'S BACK!

Gold Cup winner SUBJECTIVIST will return to action in the Red Sea Turf Handicap after a 20 month break

Hear from trainer Charlie Johnston about his road to recovery @Johnston_Racing #TheSaudiCup pic.twitter.com/GXbTHF5ePE

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) February 23, 2023

John and Thady Gosden won the second running of the Saudi Cup with Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), and are back in Riyadh with Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) for this marathon affair. The 2022 Ebor H. winner carries the Godolphin blue, and was third after briefly leading in the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup in October.

“He's an Ebor winner who was able to make the step-up to group class when he was third in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day at Ascot, so you would like to think he will continue to develop into a good stayer,” the younger Gosden said. “But this is a very good race, not least with the return of Subjectivist, and he faces very tough competition in a very competitive handicap.”

Japan's Silver Sonic (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) will be cutting back in trip on Saturday, after running out an 3/4-length winner of the 3600-metre G2 Sports Nippon Sho Stayers S. first off a seven-month hiatus on Dec. 3. The Shadai colourbearer is slotted into post one, near Darius Racing and Michael Motschmann's 2021 G1 Deutsches Derby victor Sisfahan (Fr) (Isfahan {Ger}), who leaves from stall three for trainer Henk Grewe. In between them is the outstandingly well-bred Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), third in the G3 Sagaro S. for owners Tracey Bell and Caroline Lyons, from the yard of Ian Williams. If the last-named were to triumph, he would be the fourth group winner for his stakes-winning dam Prudenzia (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). –Heather Anderson

Missed The Cut A Warm Order For Neom Turf Cup

Can George Boughey and Oisin Murphy get off to the best possible start together with Missed The Cut (Quality Road) in the G3 Neom Turf Cup?

Murphy has committed to riding Boughey's Royal Ascot winner this season and they will be bidding to get off to the best possible start in the $1.5-million contest.

Missed The Cut is a short-priced favourite to get his campaign off with a bang and Boughey says that he is happy from what he is seeing from the 4-year-old in the build-up to the race.

“We're happy with him,” Boughey said. “He beat the Dubai World Cup favourite [Algiers {Ire} (Shamardal)] on the all-weather at Lingfield back in November and he comes here in super shape so we are looking forward to it.

“The Algiers form is obviously good form. Algiers has taken his form to a different level on the dirt in Meydan and this is a whole different kettle of fish for Missed The Cut. It is a tight 10 and a bit furlongs [2100m] around the turf here. He has got plenty of pace and I'm hoping he should go well.”

Missed The Cut could face stiffest opposition from fellow British raiders Sir Busker (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), trained by William Knight, and John and Thady Gosden's Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

John Gosden said, “Mostahdaf is training well having had a nice break after the Arc when he didn't handle the very heavy conditions.

“He looks great and seems to be enjoying the warmer climate. He is a lightly raced colt, still with plenty of potential and he has Group-winning form between 10 and 12 furlongs [2000m to 2400m].”

The trainer added, “We don't have any campaign mapped out for him yet, we would like to take it step-by-step, but I'd be hopeful of a good showing tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Sir Busker comes into the Neom Cup off the back of a blowout under Ryan Moore on the all-weather, and the leading jockey remains loyal in Saturday's contest.

Knight said, “He's been in good order here and he arrives on the back of career-best form last year with a Group 2 win and a Group 1 place.

“He has come out of his prep a few weeks ago at Lingfield very well and Ryan Moore is back on him. We're hopeful of a big run.”

Bahrain-based veteran trainer Allan Smith will be hoping to grab the headlines with Byline (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}). Consistent throughout his career, the six-year-old comes into the contest after finishing third in the Listed Crown Prince Cup over 2000m on Feb. 3.

Speaking after morning track work on Friday, Smith said, “He breezed very well today. He galloped out good and was clean-winded. I'm very pleased with him.”

In 2021, Al Adiyat and Smith were a close second in the 1351 Turf Sprint on Saudi Cup day with Dark Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). This year, they bring a similarly overlooked type into the meeting. Veteran jockey Gerald Mosse takes the reins from post three.

“He's taken everything in stride since he arrived and is a happy horse,” Smith continued. “There wasn't much to do with him since he got over here from Bahrain. He's had a nice busy season and ran just a couple weeks ago. He ran a good race, but was a bit unlucky with a high draw and being wide throughout the entire race. He's better than that.

“He ran 10 furlongs [2000m] last time and this race is a little farther than that, but Bahrain has a big, sweeping track and this is a tighter track, which makes me think the distance won't be a problem. He's doing very well and we're hopeful for a good run.” —Brian Sheerin

MISSED THE CUT was unraced one year ago. He is now a Royal Ascot winner, a Listed winner and lines up in the Neom Turf at @thesaudicup on Saturday.

His trainer @gbougheyracing has been flying since last year and has had multiple international wins. #TeamBritishRacing pic.twitter.com/Ppn6uVXVoH

— GBRI (@GBRI_UK) February 21, 2023

Lemaire Bids To Call The Tune Again On Songline

While Richard Hannon is doubly represented in the following G3 1351 Turf Sprint by Happy Romance (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) and Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), the race appears to be dominated by Japanese-trained runners, including last year's winner Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}).

Trained by Toru Hayashi, Songline will again be partnered by Christophe Lemaire, who rode four winners on this card 12 months ago.

Lemaire said of Songline's chances of a repeat win aboard the Japanese raider, “I think she is in better condition than last year. If I remember correctly last year, when I rode her in the morning, she was a little bit stiff. Today, I felt she was very smooth and her footwork was very good so I am more confident than last year.”

He added, “She will have to show that she is a Group 1 horse. She had some issues last autumn but this morning she looked brilliant. All the staff did their best to bring the mare at her best for Saturday. She can stay the mile so it means that, if the pace is strong, you will need stamina in the last furlong. She has got that stamina.”

Lauda Sion (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}), winner of the G1 NHK Mile Cup in Japan, returns to the race he finished fourth in last year. He had a breeze on the dirt track under jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev on Friday and was reported by connections to be in good form.

Shigeki Todo, assistant to trainer Takashi Saito, said, “We prefer giving just a stretching-out breeze rather than fast gallop on the week of the race–it is our stable's routine. He looked under control this morning with the jockey which I always want to see.”

Hannon's Happy Romance was third to Songline in this race last year and, along with Lusail, makes up a strong challenge for the trainer.

Hector Tournier, representing Hannon, said, “Both horses have done the work they needed at home. They travelled well and are easy horses.” —Brian Sheerin

My Map Looks To Stay Unbeaten in Derby

Locally based My Map (Liam's Map) looks to run his unbeaten mark to five-from-five as he takes on an international group in the $1.5-million G3 Saudi Derby Cup Saturday evening.

Winner of a pair of starts over the summer season at Ta'if, he returned from a three-month freshening to take a local allowance over 1400 metres and made it four in a row in the Saudi Derby Qualifier Jan. 27, defeating Almulhem (More Than Ready) by 2 1/4 lengths, with Atta Alghali (Karakontie {Jpn}) a further half-length adrift in third. My Map drew 13 of 13.

Japan took the first two runnings of the Derby and will have a strong chance to add to that total here. Continuar (Jpn) (Drefong) makes his 3-year-old debut Saturday, having won two of his three trips to the post at home, including the Cattleya S. conditions race that serves as the first leg on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby at Tokyo Nov. 26. His lone defeat came in his second career start at the hooves of Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), who would go on to annex the second leg of the Kentucky Derby series, the Dec. 14 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun. Third that day was Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), recent winner of the Listed Hyacinth S. to climb to the top of the Derby leaderboard. From Dusk (Bolt d'Oro), Group 2-placed on turf, and Ecoro Ares (Unified) look like fringe players from the barn of Hideyuki Mori, who saddled Full Flat (Speightstown) in 2020 and the late Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) the following year.

Bob Baffert won last year's renewal with Pinehurst (Twirling Candy) and is represented here by Havnameltdown (Uncaptured). Campaigned exclusively over six and seven furlongs to date, the Florida-bred won the GIII Bob Hope S. in November and tacked on a 1 1/2-length success in the GII San Vicente S. Jan. 29. He tries to see out the mile here with Frankie Dettori in the irons. —Alan Carasso

WATCH: My Map makes it four out of four in the Saudi Derby Qualifier

From 'Prince' To King In Dirt Sprint?

Like many of the Saudi Cup night races, there is a high class Japanese presence in one form or another, and in the $1.5-million G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint Presented By Sports Boulevard, three runners from the Land of the Rising Sun have signed on.

Chizu Yoshida's Dancing Prince (Jpn) (Pas de Trois {Jpn}) is back to defend his title in the 1200-metre dirt feature, and will leave from stall seven in the nine-horse race under Damian Lane.

More likely to wind up in the winner's circle than not, the Chizu Yoshida runner has only lost once since his victory here, and defeated the re-opposing Ryuno Yukina (Jpn) (Vermilion {Jpn}) going this trip at Morioka in the Listed JBC Sprint on Nov. 3.

However, there is also a strong American contingent headed by Juddmonte's Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Elite Power (Curlin), who has won his last five starts for Hall of Famer Bill Mott. Frankie Dettori is booked for the entire, who splits the nine-horse field in gate five. A 1 1/4-length victor in the GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint in November, the 5-year-old is not the only Breeders' Cup participant, as GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile fourth and GI Hopeful S. scorer Gunite (Gun Runner) enters fresh off a victory in the Jan. 28 Listed King Cotton S. at Oaklawn Park. The Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred leaves from stall two with Tyler Gaffalione in the irons for trainer Steve Asmussen, who recently celebrated his 10,000th career victory.

“Gunite has been training really well and as evidenced by his first performance as a 4-year-old, he's doing quite well,” said David Fiske, who manages owner/breeder Winchell Thoroughbreds' racing and bloodstock. “I get videos almost every day of him since arriving in Saudi Arabia and he seems to be doing great there. The race has been in the back of our minds as an early goal since the Breeders' Cup. His race in the King Cotton increased our confidence that he could be effective in a race that, on paper, might appear to be a little short for him, distance-wise.” –Heather Anderson

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The 5-year-old earned a berth in the 2022 G1 Saudi Cup with his victory here last year, but he was disappointing in eighth behind Emblem Road (Quality Road) in Riyadh back in February. He regrouped and validated odds-on favouritism in this track's G3 Heian S. in May and was fourth in the Listed Teio Sho June 29 before bouncing back to defeat this year's G2 UAE Derby hero Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) in the valuable Listed JBC Classic over the metric mile and a quarter at Morioka Nov. 3.

“He ran a strong race last year, so I'd like things to be the same this time too,” said jockey Kohei Matsuyama. “His experience overseas has helped him mature more. He took a bit of time to recover from his last race, but just recently in training he's done things in his usual way and has responded well.”

Thirteenth in the GI Kentucky Derby following his Meydan success, Crown Pride was given plenty of time to recover from his travels and resumed with a narrow loss in the Listed Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Sept. 28. He made the running in the JBC Classic and held well, but was no match for the classy T O Keynes late and will try to even the score while backing up to 1800 metres Sunday.

Vela Azul (Jpn) (Eishin Flash {Jpn}) made a successful switch from dirt to turf to win last weekend's G1 Japan Cup and Jun Light Bolt (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) looks an entirely different proposition since moving from the grass to the dirt. A four-time winner and stakes-placed from 21 turf starts, the bay was runner-up in listed company in his main-track bow in July and has since won the Listed BSN Sho in July and the G3 Sirius S. over course and distance Oct. 1, defeating the 3-year-old Hapi (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and Auvergne (Jpn) (Smart Falcon {Jpn}).

WATCH: #13 T O Keynes reels in #4 Crown Pride in the JBC Classic

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With exercise rider Wilson Fabian in the saddle, Echo Zulu broke to the inside of regular workmate King Ottoman (Curlin), who was ridden by former jockey Eddie Martin, Jr. Echo Zulu worked through eighth-mile fractions of :12.20, :23.80, :35.60 and :47.40. She galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25.20, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

Epicenter, with Fabian in the irons, worked to the outside of Gun It (Tapit) and Martin through splits of :13, :24.40, :35.80 and :47.20. He galloped out seven furlongs in 1:26.20 and the mile in 1:41.

“We're so happy the weather has cooperated on our scheduled work days. The racetrack is in great shape this morning,” Asmussen said. “These were the most significant works for us. We're following a pattern that we're very comfortable with. I love the rhythm these horses are in. Both of these horses have kept their same workmates from New Orleans this winter. I'm unbelievably appreciative of the job Wilson and Eddie have done helping get them to this point.

“They've both started out as tremendous prospects and individuals. We're aiming with incremental improvement to not take too big of a leap forward. So everything is a building block to success. Since they have arrived here at Churchill that trend has continued. I was so excited with Echo Zulu's first work here.”

Japan's Derby contender Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), winner of the G2 UAE Derby, put in a four-furlong work in :49.20 (35/58) under the Twin Spires at 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Working from the three-furlong pole, he clicked off  fractions of :12.40, :24.80 and :37.20 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.40.

Continuing his Derby preparations at Gulfstream Park, White Abarrio (Race Day) worked five furlongs in 1:00.04 (5/13) after passing workmate Stormy Pattern (1:01.04) nearing the wire Sunday. The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained colt galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.58.

“It went good. I got him in :59 4/5. They got him in a minute. He worked with that horse before the Florida Derby, two weeks out,” Joseph said. “We kept everything the same, the same workmate, a similar pattern two weeks out. That time he ran a 1:02. This time he ran a little faster than a minute. Last time he galloped out in 1:13. This time he galloped out in 1:12.”

Joseph's lone previous Derby runner was Ny Traffic (Cross Traffic), who finished eighth in 2020.

“You just try to keep an even keel. It's a long way to go in horse racing terms–13 days,” Joseph said. “You just want to get through everything and ship up there fine and go into the race the best we can.”

White Abarrio is scheduled to breeze a half-mile next Sunday before shipping to Churchill Downs the following day.

Klaravich Stables' Early Voting (Gun Runner), considered possible for the Derby, worked four furlongs in :49.92 (44/118) over the training track at Belmont Saturday. The GIII Withers S. winner, who has made all three career starts at Aqueduct, was second in the Apr. 9 GII Wood Memorial.

“The work went fine,” trainer Chad Brown said. “He worked easy. It was his first work back and he was moving well. We haven't made any final decision yet on what we're doing in terms of the Derby, but I want to talk to Mr. [Seth] Klarman about it this afternoon a little bit more.”

Working at Keeneland Sunday, Oaks contender Yuugiri (Shackleford) worked five furlongs in company in 1:01.60 (10/20). She broke off at the half-mile pole and recorded fractions of :24.20 and :48.40. Jockey Flavien Prat  was aboard for the work, pinch-hitting for Florent Geroux who has the mount in the Oaks. Prat rides G3 UAE Oaks winner Shahama (Munnings) at Churchill Downs May 6.

“She did it very easy,” said Prat. “I was very happy with the work.”

The work was the second since Yuugiri won the Apr. 2 GIII Fantasy S.

Trainer Rodolphe Brisset's wife, Brooke, oversaw the work for her husband, who was traveling back from Oaklawn.

“We got what we wanted this morning,” she said, adding that Yuugiri would work at Keeneland again next Sunday morning.

Also Sunday, Asmussen removed GIII Gotham S. winner Morello (Classic Empire) from Derby consideration due to a foot issue, allowing GII Louisiana Derby third-place finisher Pioneer of Medina (Pioneerof the Nile) to move into the top 20 Derby points earners, and Jeff Drown's GI Toyota Blue Grass S. winner Zandon (Upstart) arrived at Churchill Downs a day after working four furlongs in :48.60 (24/93) at Keeneland.

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Stonestreet Gold Again a Rising Star…
The famous silks have done it once more, this time with Marsalis (Curlin) adding another 'TDN Rising Star' accolade to GISW Hot Dixie Chick's already impressive tally as a broodmare. Full-brother and New York's Leading Second Crop sire Union Jackson also claimed Rising Stardom in his racing days; while half-sister Pauline's Pearl (Tapit) added a victory in the GIII Houston Ladies Classic S. and a second in the GII Azeri S. to her million-dollar resume. Considering the dam also earned the TDN seal of approval, this female family really seems to enamor us in all the best ways and what's better than a Rising Star producing more Rising Stars?

A Titan Among Us…
With freaky-fast Olympiad (Speightstown) either breaking track-records or just missing them two races in a row en route to graded stakes victories, LNJ Foxwood's 'breeding stars' momentum doesn't look to be going away any time soon. The brilliant colt is one of his sire's 63 graded winners, and 128  black-type earners. The $700,000 KEESEP grad is bred on the same cross as MGISW Rock Fall (Speightstown), who tore through five victories in a row in 2015 including the GI Vosburgh and Alfred G. Vanderbilt S. in the Empire State.

It's Not This Time all the time…
The 2022 racing season is still young, but Not This Time has already begun to stake his claim as one of the most exciting young sires in the States. Counting GII Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter, Melody of Colors S. winner Last Leaf, and Midnight Stroll waltzing home in the Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies S. this past weekend, the stallion has 18 black-type winners. Taking into account his 144 lifetime starters as of calculation Mar. 28, he's hitting 17.36% stakes horses (25), 12.5% stakes winners (18), and 4.17% graded winners (6).

Where does the time go?
American Pharoah is about to enter a new stage of his breeding career…being a broodmare sire. And so, the ever elusive construct thus continues to move ever forward. With the retirements of As Time Goes By and Merneith, the ranks of blue-blooded broodmare prospects with him in the pedigree grow: the former in particular bred for success being out of Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady (Dehere) and a half to sires Will Take Charge (Unbridled's Song) and Take Charge Indy (A. P. Indy). As Time Goes By is expected to visit Into Mischief. Merneith ends her career Grade I placed and a multiple graded-stakes winner with no immediate stallion plans announced.

Japan takes over the world one race at a time…
Anyone who has tracked November auctions the past several years was not surprised when Japanese horses either won or hit the board in five of six open stakes on the Saudi Cup card bar one…the main event. We were even less surprised when they parlayed those incredible results into an even bigger Dubai World Cup night: winning, dead-heating, or placing in every single race minus the G1 Al Quoz Sprint and the Dubai Kahayla Classic, the latter they had no entries. Japanese connections have been scooping up quality American bloodlines for decades including, perhaps most famously, Sunday Silence, who went on to be 10-time Champion Sire in the country. Now the Land of the Rising Sun could set their eyes once again on the GI Kentucky Derby with Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), a great-grandson of the aforementioned legend through his sire. His trainer already willing after his G2 UAE Derby victory secured a spot in the gate, should the ownership group agree, a Japanese-bred descendant of Seattle Slew and Kingmambo will be in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. As an added note on the American influence here, Crown Pride's dam was recently bred to Nadal (Blame).

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Four weeks after scooping four races at a variety of distances and on both surfaces in Saudi Arabia, Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) made it three wins on the Dubai World Cup undercard–with the possibility of even better to come–with a determined defeat of pacesetting Summer Is Tomorrow (Summer Front) in the $1-million G2 UAE Derby as night began to take hold at Meydan Racecourse. Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) struck for Japan at cricket score odds in the G2 Godolphin Mile, while Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) won his second straight in the desert in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup at two miles on the turf.

Knocked sideways at the break by America's Gilded Age (Medaglia d'Oro), Crown Pride recovered nicely and raced in about sixth spot and three wide into the first turn as Summer Is Tomorrow was hounded along by G3 Saudi Derby hero Pinehurst (Twirling Candy) through strong early sectionals. Asked for a bit of acceleration 1100 metres out, Crown Pride improved–albeit deep on the track–outside of Saudi Derby second Sekifu (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) as they raced into the final half-mile.

Summer Is Tomorrow took them into the final two furlongs and had a nice kick over a track that was playing kindly to speed, but Australia's Damian Lane asked Crown Pride for his best approaching the eighth pole and the duo wore down the stubborn long-time leader despite racing on his incorrect lead through the line. Island Falcon (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) ran on for third, while Pinehurst hit a wall 600 metres out and was effectively eased under the wire.

“He stepped out okay, but didn't travel too well thereafter and it just took a little bit to get him in a rhythm and get him going,” said Lane, who has ridden with considerable success in Japan and won a G1 Cox Plate atop Horse of the Year Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) for Yoshito Yahagi. “I got crowded a little early, but as I say he was able to stride through and take up position and it was plain sailing from there, really. I was confident a long way out and although he made hard work of it in the straight, ultimately he was the toughest out there. He's a strong, tough horse and saw the distance out well.”

He added: “Whenever you jump aboard (a Japanese-trained horse), you can be confident they're going to be strong and they're going to run well and it's just a privilege to be a part of it.”

Bhupat Seemar, trainer of the runner-up, indicated that connections could have a look at the GI Kentucky Derby after earning 40 points.

“Why not though?,” said Seemar. “There were some good horses behind him, a couple of Grade 1 horses from America, so now that he's had that run I think we'd have to think about it.”

Pedigree Notes:

Crown Pride is the second stakes winner and second group winner for his sire, a son of Special Week (Jpn) and a himself a winner at Group 2 and Group 3 level. Crown Pride is the first foal from his dam, a nine-time winner at the races at Funabashi and Mombetsu on the National Association of Racing Circuit. Emmy's Pride is the dam of a 2-year-old filly by Pyro that sold for $226,940 at last year's JRHA Select Sales. She was most recently bred to American import Nadal (Blame). Like Stay Foolish, Crown Pride is out of a mare by King Kamehameha (Jpn).

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
UAE DERBY SPONSORED BY MUBADALA-G2, $1,000,000, Meydan, 3-26, 3yo, 9 1/2f, 1:59.76, fs.
1–CROWN PRIDE (JPN), 121, c, 3, by Reach the Crown (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Emmy's Pride (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
                2nd Dam: Emmy's Smile (Jpn), by Agnes Tachyon (Jpn)
                3rd Dam: Hemisphere (Jpn), by White Muzzle (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Teruya Yoshida;
B-Shadai Farm (JPN); T-Koichi Shintani; J-Damian Lane.
$580,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, $734,569. Werk Nick
Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Summer Is Tomorrow, 121, c, 3, Summer Front–Always
Tomorrow, by Badge of Silver. 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP
BLACK TYPE. ($25,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $14,000 Ylg '20
KEESEP; £120,000 2yo '21 ARQMAY). O-Michael Hilary Burke &
Negar Burke; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Bhupat Seemar.
$200,000.
3–Island Falcon (Ire), 121, c, 3, Iffraaj (GB)–Adoringly (Ire), by
Dubawi (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE.
O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor. $100,000.
Margins: 2 3/4, 1 1/4, 3/4.
Also Ran: Bendoog, Quality Boone (Arg), Reiwa Homare (Jpn), Kiefer (Brz), Sekifu (Jpn), Azure Coast, Withering (GB), Combustion (Jpn), Arabian Gazelles, Gilded Age, Irwin (Arg), Get Back Goldie, Pinehurst.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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