The smoldering rivalry between Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon looks ready to heat up again in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) on February 26 and, according to their respective coaches, could be more exciting four weeks later in Dubai .
Among those standing in the way of American domination in Saudi Arabia are Mishriff the 2021 Saudi Cup champion, who will take a shortcut Winx , Interrogation and several others to become the highest earning horse in history with a repeat win at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
Brad Cox and Steve Asmussen, the Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon trainers, both expressed optimism when they spoke to the media on Feb. 8 via a virtual feed. Both expect improvement from the first onset of cubs at age 4 in Louisiana Stakes (G3) on January 22 at Fair Grounds & Slots. In that race, Mandaloun chased Midnight Bourbon to win 3/4 of the way in a virtual match race.
At the age of 3, their records were inextricably linked, first at the Fair Grounds where Midnight Bourbon, a Tiznow colt, won Lecomte Stakes (G3) with Mandaloun in third; then in Lamarque Ford’s Easter Stars (G2), where Mandaloun won third place Midnight Bourbon. Mandaloun didn’t open fire in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), which placed sixth, with Midnight Bourbon coming in second behind. Hot Rod Charlie .
Mandaloun, by Into Mischief turned the tide in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), finishing second after Medina Spirit with Midnight Bourbon Friday after a lousy start. (Mandaloun could eventually be elevated to the winning position as Kentucky managers are expected this month to review the Medina Spirit’s failed post-race drug test.)
Things turned sour on July 17 during TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park when Hot Rod Charlie skips in front of Midnight Bourbon right when he’s on the move. Midnight Bourbon slipped on his heel and tripped, dropping driver Paco Lopez. Hot Rod Charlie was disqualified last and none other than Mandaloun inherited the victory.
By the end of the year, Midnight Bourbon had ranked second or third in six classified holdings and made Asmussen shake his head.
“It’s all there. It really is,” said the coach. “He has an elite level of talent that doesn’t need to end. It leaves a lot for us to move forward. Whether he’s done well or not like his résumé with those things, he’s done well or not. winning, he is still in a stage of physical and mental development that will allow him to become the best horse in training in the world this year.
“I’m hoping beyond hope, and expecting, that he’s waiting for the Saudi Cup stage to put it all together perfectly,” added Asmussen.
Cox was asked the same question: Should Mandaloun improve on its 2022 debut?
“Absolutely right. Absolutely. It’s the coach’s talk, isn’t it?” Cox replied. “If he comes forward again, I think he will be very difficult in the Saudi Arabian Cup.”
Saudi Arabia’s challenge will be far more formidable than anything the two have faced in New Orleans, full of expected well-qualified international athletes, with no one to complete. better than Mishriff.
Thady Gosden, who trains Mishriff in partnership with his father, John, believes their 5-year-old son Make-believe had the edge over the Americans in the one-mile and one-eighth configuration at King Abdulaziz Raceway.
“One turn makes a big difference,” says Gosden. “Longer straight lines are especially an advantage for European horses. American horses are used to using a lot of speed to move forward and then go straight a short distance home.
“The surface is a bit nicer too. The backkick isn’t bad. It’s a little softer, a little smoother. It’s a great track.”
Mishriff wins the 2021 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz . Racecourse
The layout isn’t too unfamiliar to US coaches, Asmussen said.
“I think it can best compare with Belmont Park, from my limited experience with it. He said:
Cox agrees with that assessment.
“It’s a little bit of something that we don’t get a lot of in the US. It’s a mile a mile and an eighth,” Cox said. “We’ll get it in Belmont. I’m confident he’ll be able to handle it.”
The Saudi track has drawn rave reviews from American coaches and plays quite differently than the dirty surfaces at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Both Asmussen and Cox have said they are cautiously eyeing the Emirates Airline (G1)-sponsored Dubai World Championships if their horses exit the race in Saudi Arabia well.
Asmussen said Midnight Bourbon is “definitely focused on the Saudi Cup, and (we) feel he would be a very good candidate for the Dubai World Cup.”
Of the World Cup, Cox commented: “Most likely that decision won’t be made until a few days after the race (Saudi Arabia.) But the riders with the horse were told: ‘Bring it along. Bring enough clothes because your journey could last seven days. or eight weeks.'”
If they make it to the Dubai starting gate, Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon will once again face their 3-year-old pony—Hot Rod Charlie. Fee Doug O’Neill moved to Dubai early and easily won his prep race at Meydan, serving to announce the World Cup.
Attractive Pegasus World Cup bets presented by 1 / ST Bet (G1) winner Life is good also has Dubai written on his dance card.
