A properly international Saudi Cup meeting saw the major races claimed by stables fromJapan, America, Britain and Ireland. A clash with two rugby internationals will have had plenty of viewers indulging in some channel-hopping, but for some of racing's most crucial workers – those on stud farms – the work can't just be put aside for an afternoon on the sofa.
Such was the case for Greg and Lottie Parsons of Upperwood Farm Stud in Hertfordshire, who had a “36-hour day” on Saturday, having been up all night foaling.
“It started a couple of days ago and it's just been non-stop,” says Greg Parsons, who would have had more reason than most to want to tune in to the Saudi action as he was responsible for foaling the G2 Howden Neom Turf Cup winner Spirit Dancer (GB) seven years ago for his client Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I had to grab half an hour of sleep so I haven't seen the race yet but someone just sent me a clip of the finish,” Parsons told TDN on Saturday evening. “It's just been the most wonderful story really.”
The previous weekend Parsons was busy foaling Spirit Dancer's dam Queen's Dream (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). She delivered a filly from the first crop of Stradivarius(Ire) exactly a week before the youngster's illustrious elder brother claimed his third Group victory and his second in the Middle East after his G2 Bahrain International Trophy win last November.
Spirit Dancer was one of two sons of Frankel (GB) to have notched a Group win on Saturday, with Military Order (Ire), the full-brother to Derby hero Adayar (Ire), having held off Lord North (Ire) in the G3 Winter Derby at Southwell.
Spirit Dancer's mating was the first planned by Ferguson and his then-partner in the mare, Niall McLoughlin. They bought the Gestut Fahrhof-bred Queen's Dream in 2015 when she was carrying her second foal on the advice of pedigree expert Alan Perry, who continues to advise Ferguson on his matings along with Parsons.
“She had been covered by Maxios when he bought her and she came to us then and has been here ever since,” said Parsons. “We had one or two other mares for him initially. Sir Alex has been the most fabulous client and he won't deny his horses anything. He's a real animal lover.”
Queen's Dream's six subsequent foals have been bred solely by Ferguson, and they include the promising four-year-oldHampden Park (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), who won on his third start last season for Andrew Balding and was handed a rating of 90. The mare's current three-year-old, Road To Wembley (GB) (Postponed {Ire}), is trained by Richard Hughes and has made four starts to date.
“I know Andrew thinks a lot of him,” Parsons said of Hampden Park, who was patriotically named by Ferguson after Scotland's national football stadium.
There looks to be plenty more to come from the family, not least from Spirit Dancer himself, who is in the form of his life at the age of seven. He posted his first win at three and has won in every season since, with his first Pattern success coming in York's G3 Strensall S. last August.
Parsons added, “We used to call him Diego when he was here and when I took him up to Richard Fahey's he weighed 490kg as a yearling. He was a bull of a horse. Richard has done a splendid job with him.”
Queen's Dream didn't make it to the racecourse but she is entitled to have bred a good one. A daughter of the Listed winner Quetana (Ger) (Acetanenago {Ger}), her granddam is the G2 German 1,000 Guineas winner and G1 Preis der Diana runner-up Quebrada (Ire) (Devil's Bag) who was herself out of the GI Yellow Ribbon S. winner Queen To Conquer (King's Bishop). The 14-year-old Queen's Dream has a yearling colt by Masar (Ire) in the paddocks at Upperwood and she will be covered this year by Pinatubo (Ire) at Dalham Hall Stud.
“She's certainly an alpha mare in a group – she's the boss – but she loves her friends and we keep her to a routine,” said Parsons, who will hopefully be getting a bit more sleep in the weeks to come.
“We have 10 or 11 mares to foal this year,” he noted. “I like to try to keep the numbers sensible. I don't have anyone sitting up for me, I like to be hands-on.”
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has long been a racehorse owner but he has also become immersed in the breeding world since his retirement from football.
On Saturday, his homebred Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who Ferguson races in partnership with Ged Mason and bookmaker Fred Done, lines up in the $2 million G2 Howden Neom Turf Cup on the Saudi Cup undercard. The seven-year-old, trained by Richard Fahey, has been wintering in the Middle East, where he won the G2 Bahrain International Trophy in November before finishing fourth in the G1 Jebel Hatta in Dubai last month.
“One of the great advantages of having a really good horse is international racing. We never dreamed, when I bred Spirit Dancer, that he would end up getting as far as this,” Ferguson told Saudi Cup presenter Martin Kelly when trackside in Riyadh on Thursday morning.
“We're so excited about it and after Bahrain we are quite optimistic.
“He had a little problem when he was three years of age, he got over that and he's just got better and better. He's not had a lot of racing. That's what Richard keeps saying, that he can race a lot more than he's been doing. So we're getting the benefit.
“The international element is something we didn't expect. I'd been to Dubai some years back and I was saying to myself I wonder what it's like to have a horse involved in it – now we've got one, I'm enjoying it.”
He added of his involvement in racing, “It was round about 1995 that I remember my wife saying I was going to kill myself because my whole day was absorbed with the [football] club.
“One day, I said to my wife 'shall we go to the races?'. She asked where that had come from and I told her it was her who said I needed to start doing something else. We were at the races one day when I met John Mulhern and Dessie Scahill and I got hooked.”
Ferguson bought Spirit Dancer's dam Queen's Dream (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) from trainer and breeder Andreas Wohler, who had suggested that he should get involved with breeding. He keeps his mares at stud in Hertfordshire and divulged to Kelly that he has recently welcomed a foal from the first crop of Stradivarius (Ire).
Fahey, who has trained Spirit Dancer to seven victories from his 24 starts, including last year's G3 Strensall S. at York, said of the horse's preparation ahead of Saturday, “He needed the run in Dubai last month and he has been training well since then. He did a very nice piece of work there last week. We'll have no excuses for him in terms of his preparation.”
Among Spirit Dancer's 12 rivals in the Neom Turf Cup is the treble Group 1 winner Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot (GB)}), representing the Cooolmore team.
“Everyone's very excited to see him. He's a big, powerful, long-striding horse. A good, scopey horse, with a good mind and very sound,” said his trainer Aidan O'Brien.
“We think we haven't seen the best of him yet, all through this year and next year he's going to be a horse to really look forward to.
“He's big with a long stride and often those types of horses take until four or five to really become strong enough to use their stride.”
O'Brien will also saddle Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a brother to the Irish Derby and St Leger winner Capri (Ire), for the Red Sea Turf Handicap. The four-year-old was twice a winner last term and narrowly missed out on victory in the G3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket when beaten a head in second before running fourth in the St Leger.
“He's been off a good while and he's carrying a little bit of weight, but he's been working very well,” said the trainer.
“We always thought the trip would suit him well and this type of race would suit him well. He has plenty of weight but he's a classy horse, we think that ridden a little bit patiently and gently we will see a very big run from him.”
The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) has released the names of the 1162 entries–including 41 Grade I/Group 1 winners–from no fewer than 15 racing jurisdictions around the world for the US$33.5 million Saudi Cup meeting to be held at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh Saturday, Feb. 23, 2024. Prize money is up by $2.25 million as compared to the 2023 renewal, reflecting the upgrades of the Neom Turf Cup (2100mT) and 1351 Turf Sprint to international Group 2 status. One of the two races for Purebred Arabians–the Al Mneefah Cup– has been accorded Group 1 status for the first time.
White Abarrio (Race Day) is chief among the entries for the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup. The Rick Dutrow, Jr. runner is doing his preparations in California for the 1800-meter test, where he could face Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), whom he defeated when last seen in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita in early November. The Japanese–which have 110 entries across the races–could also be represented by reigning G1 Dubai World Cup winner and Breeders' Cup Classic fifth Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) as well as Godolphin's Japanese champion dirt horse Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid), who earned a spot in the Saudi Cup field when winning the G1 Champions Cup in December. National Treasure (Quality Road), victorious in last year's GI Preakness S., is one of five entries for trainer Bob Baffert, who has also nominated GI Malibu S. winner Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) and Zedan Racing Stable's Hejazi (Bernardini), runner-up in that seven-furlong test Dec. 26. The Brad Cox barn could be represented by Saudi-owned GI Pennsylvania Derby winner Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), while Scotland Yard (Quality Road) is among the chief local chances. Aidan O'Brien has entered Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) for what would be their dirt debuts in the Saudi Cup.
Japan's Silver Sonic (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) carried 125 pounds to victory in last year's G3 Longines Red Sea Turf Cup H., but if he is to defend his title in the $2.5-million contest, he will need to tote 134 against a field in which G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) is top-weighted at 136 pounds. The 3000-meter staying test has also attracted G2 Yorkshire Cup hero Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}, 133), Godolphin's group/graded winner Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}, 133), the Dermot Weld-trained 9-year-old G3 Loughbrown S. winner Falcon Eight (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}, 129), Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}, 126) and G3 Bahrain Trophy second Tower of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for Ballydoyle.
The connections of Simca Mille could opt for the G2 Neom Turf Cup, a $2-million race over an extended mile and a quarter. John and Thady Gosden sent out Mostahdaf (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to a barnstorming win in last year's race and the father-and-son partnership has Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training acquisition Jack Darcy (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) engaged. Luxembourg holds a Neom Turf Cup entry, while narrow GI Breeders' Cup Mile runner-up Mawj (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) has also been handed this stamina-stretching option by Saeed bin Suroor. Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) could try to make it consecutive wins in the race for his sire, having most recently defeated the Gosdens' Israr (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Point Lonsdale in the G2 Bahrain International Trophy back in November. American entries include Missed the Cut (Quality Road), unplaced when well-fancied last year, and the consistent Webslinger (Constitution).
America's Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) has endured a pair of excruciating defeats in the 1351 Turf Cup and could return for a third attempt at the race, as he remains in training into an 8-year-old campaign in 2024. The globetrotting Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) dropped his head down on the line first in last year's race for trainer Yoshito Yahagi and could be back to defend his title against a group that could also include Saudi Arabia's Raaed (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a cracking third last year, Godolphin's Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Amo Racing's Walbank (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), an impressive handicap winner over 1200 metres at Meydan for George Boughey Jan. 5, and Forbidden Kingdom (American Pharoah), all-the-way winner of the GII Joe Hernandez S. for MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm at Santa Anita Dec. 30.
Japanese runners have proved formidable in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint and a strong team includes Remake (Jpn) (Lani), who was a good third to the now-retired top American sprinters Elite Power (Curlin) and Gunite (Gun Runner) in the 1200-meter test last February. The North Hills homebred was last seen finishing runner-up to Igniter (Jpn) (Espoir City {Jpn}) in the valuable Listed JBC Sprint at Ohi Racecourse in November, and he also holds an entry. Speed Boat Beach could be re-routed for this shorter option, while other entries from the US include reigning G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen hero Sibelius (Not This Time), the in-form Bold Journey (Hard Spun) for 2023 winning conditioner Bill Mott, Forbidden Kingdom, Hejazi and recent Oaklawn allowance winner Skelly (Practical Joke). Last year's Saudi Derby winner Commissioner King (Commissioner) features among the local Sprint contingent.
Over 200 entries were taken for the G3 Saudi Derby going a metric mile on the dirt. Zedan Racing's 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic), recent winner of the GII San Vicente S. for Bob Baffert, has been given an entry as has his Grade I-placed stable companion Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso) and San Vicente runner-up Pilot Commander (Justify). Yahagi's Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) holds an entry as does his stablemate Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), who appears set to make the journey to the desert after convincingly defeating Aigle Noir (Jpn) (Bricks and Mortar) in the Listed Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki last month. An intriguing possibility from the Weld yard is Taraj (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), placed in one of two starts on the turf and a latest maiden winner going a mile over the Dundalk all-weather Nov. 24. Among the locals, Saudi Neom (Connect) is among the possibles, having run his record to two wins and a second from three runs with a victory over the Derby course and distance Jan. 6.
Top Qatari galloper Bolthole (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}), third in last year's Listed H. H. The Amir Trophy and winner of a Class 2 conditions race over 2000 metres at Al Rayyan Jan. 4 for Wathnan Racing and Alban de Mieulle, is the joint-highweight for the $500,000 Saudi International H. (90-110) over 2100 metres on the grass.
by Brian Sheerin in Riyadh, Heather Anderson & Alan Carasso
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
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.
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
