Top U.S.-based Saudi Cup (G1) contenders White Abarrio and National Treasure are each set to depart for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from Santa Anita Park Feb. 13. The $20 million Saudi Cup will be contested Feb. 24.
According to Santa Anita stable superintendent Jeff Metz, Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T) winner Forbidden Kingdom for trainer Richard Mandella is also expected to make the trip for a race on the Saudi Cup undercard. Mandella-trained Planetario is also possible to go following his runner-up finish in the Feb. 10 San Marcos Stakes (G3T).
The Saudi-bound contingent is scheduled to report to a “holding barn” at Santa Anita at 4:30 p.m. PT Feb. 12 and leave for Los Angeles International Airport at 4 a.m. the following morning. The group will first fly to Miami via Mersant International. There, they will be joined by a group of Eastern-based horses for the 13-hour trip to Riyadh.
White Abarrio has not raced since winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Nov. 4 for trainer Richard Dutrow, Jr. The 5-year-old son of Race Day has been on a steady work pattern throughout the winter, breezing five furlongs in :59 3/5 Feb. 3.
The Bob Baffert-trained National Treasure will be making a relatively quick turnaround in the Saudi Cup, having captured the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park. The Quality Road colt, the winner of last year’s Preakness Stakes (G1), recorded his first work since the Pegasus on Saturday, going five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 at Santa Anita.
National Treasure 🇺🇸 Aced his first work back after winning The G1 Pegasus. He worked this morning @santaanitapark for Bob Baffert in the excellent hands of @Ersick05. He will ship to Saudi Arabia next Tuesday to participate in the $20 million @thesaudicup on Saturday, February… pic.twitter.com/KTTLG7TMTt
— Tom Ryan (@TomRyanKY) February 10, 2024
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
