Mandaloun, the newly crowned winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), has been installed at gate 6 for his next challenge, the 20 million Saudi Cup (G1) dollars on February 26 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
Mandaloun’s main American rival, Midnight Bourbon is inside him at door 3 and protects the Saudi Cup champion Mishriff in 14 booths outside.
Art collector have port 9 and a fourth boot port based in the US, Country Grammer with Flavien Prat named to ride, drew the track during the ceremonies on February 23. Post positions in the Saudi Cup are not as important as in some races in the US at the same distance of 1,800 meters. (about 1/8 mile) like the race. was debated around a turn after a long run down the back.
Prominent American track and field athletes, Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon, recreate a rivalry that spans most of the Triple Crown season in 2021 and beyond. In the latest version, Mandaloun, a Into Mischief colt, was fired for six months chasing Midnight Bourbon and won the Louisiana Stakes (G3) in three-quarters of the time in a virtual match race.
Not sure they will have much to themselves in Riyadh.
The pitch is full of international quality beyond defending champions with the likes of last November’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Marche Lorraine and the reigning Japanese dirt road champion TO Keynes ; Qipco British Champion Stakes (G1) Winner Sealway ; Longchamps and Dubai team stake winner The real world ; and 9 year old boy living in Dubai Secret ambition .
As it did in the first two editions, for many, the Saudi Cup challenge involving the pitch-to-field transition has drawn rave reviews from trainers and racers alike. from jurisdictions around the world. This is also the seasonal debut of some big players.
Reports of US participants on the morning of the drawdown were positive if unremarkable.
Dustin Dugas, assistant to coach Brad Cox, said Mandaloun didn’t even hit the track on February 23, a day later. Churchill Downs claims he was promoted in the Derby victory for testing positive for drugs returned by Medina Spirit.
“Mandaloun was just walking this morning, he didn’t go to any racetrack,” Dugas said. “We gave him a nice, easy day. He came out of the breeze (February 22) in really good condition. He went for a jog and ate everything last night. . He has really good energy this morning; he’s very happy with himself. We’re moving forward from here.”
Dugas said Cox is expected to be on hand for the final spin around the prized King Abdulaziz two days after the big race.
Coach Bob Baffert, who awaits an expected appeal, lost his seventh record win at the Kentucky Derby with dismissal Medina Spirit comment from California on the previous day’s work by his Saudi Arabia team, Country Grammer and Saudi Derby contender Pinehurst.
“I liked what I saw,” Baffert told Saudi Cup media representatives. “They’re shipping well and they’re running well and that’s what you want to see in the final piece. The reports I got from my team there showed they were pleased with how they went, back. back and cool.”
An American Cup Winners’ Cup contender who didn’t get the day off was Art collector who went out for a three-feather breeze under Bill Mott’s assistant, Neil Poznansky.
“We had a nice breeze this morning,” Poznansky said. “I just want to see how he captures the surface, how he feels doing it and how his energy is doing it. Everything is good. He’s adapted well to the track. . He’s very aggressive.”
Mishriff, who after winning Saudi Arabia in 2021 with wins at the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) in Dubai and the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) in York, has a first start for coaches John and Thady Gosden since finishing fourth in the Qipco Champion Stakes (G1) in Ascot this past October 16.
The 5-year-old knows the surface of Saudi Arabia very well. His only two previous appearances have both resulted in second place in the Samba Saudi Derby Cup 2020 match and last year’s Saudi Cup title.
Thady Gosden says Mishriff and friend are stable Harrovian a candidate in the Neom Turf Cup presented by Jahez (G3), is having a frank preparation.
“The first day we were here, we both looked at everything together, even though Mishriff had been here twice before,” said young Gosden. “But now they’re both really settled and the weather is perfect for them, warm with a cool breeze. Both are very relaxed and settled in.”
