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 Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard New York Central heads into the winner's circle after the Saudia Sprint
Longines Turf Hcp. results Saudia Sprint & STC 1351 Cup results Saudi Derby results Obaiya Arabian Classic, Mohamed Yousuf Motors Cup, and Jockey Club Local Hcp. results |
There are two sprints held on Saudi Cup night, one on the dirt and one on the turf. The $1.5 million Saudia Sprint is the feature sprint event on the card, contested at 1200 meters (about 6 furlongs) around one turn of the main track. Vosburgh (G1) winner and Mr. Prospector (G3) third place finisher Imperial Hint was sent off as the 3-5 favorite over 5-1 Gladiator King, winne of the Dubawi (G3) and Al Shindagha (G3) at Meydan, and 11-2 Captain Scotty, winner of the Palos Verdes (G2) at Santa Anita.
 Matera Sky leads down the stretch while New York Central rallies on the far outside. |
Results Chart for the race from Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia which includes a link to the video replay. Results for US wagering:
7th RACE King Abdulaziz - Saudia Sprint
10 New York Central 23.40 8.60 5.00
7 Matera Sky 5.40 5.60
3 Gladiator King 3.00
Running time - 1:11.68
$1.00 EXACTA 3-9 70.20
$1.00 TRIFECTA 3-9-2 597.40
$1.00 SUPERFECTA 3-9-2-4 8,079.80
Left: New York Central hidden somewhere in the crowded winner's enclosure. Winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. said, "Inshallah. For a second I thought I was too far back turning for home but as soon as I started to ask my horse he started to pick it up and give me some run. Then I knew I had a chance. The other horse (Matera Sky) started stopping and was coming back fast. So I kept riding and I still had a chance to get there on time. (Winning on a night like this) means a lot. I enjoyed it, riding for Prince Faisal. I'm so excited."
Right: There he is, way in the back!
Left: New York Central in the walking ring. The Sami Al Harabi trainee improved his record to 5 wins, 2 seconds, and 1 third in 13 starts, earnng $1,235,310 for owner Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz.
Right: New York Central heads back to the barn in his winner's blanket.
Left: Second place finisher Matera Sky returns after the race. Trainer Hideyuki Mori said, "It was so close, he started well and just performed brilliantly throughout. It is a shame such a good run was lost by such a such a small distance." Jockey Yutaka Take added, "I think the outside draw took a little bit out of him that he needed for the end. With an inside draw we would have won well. I really thought we had it there for a while, so it's a bit disappointing to run so well and finish second."
Right: Third place finisher Gladiator King in the post parade. Jockey Mickael Barzalona said, "They went very fast and he lost pace with them. He ran well. He's a good horse who does the job."
12th place finisher and beaten favorite Imperial Hint in the post parade. Jockey Joel Rosario said, "I looked like I was in a good spot, but I just got no horse in the end. He just got tired."
 Down the stretch in the STC 1351 Cup. |
The $1 million STC 1351 Cup is contested at 1351 meters (about 6 3/4 furlongs) around one turn of the turf course. A full field of 14 went to post with Al Fahihi Fort (G2) winner Glorious Journey sent off as ths 9-5 favorite over 6-1 Ghoul, 2nd in the Clocker's Corner Stakes, and 7-1 Sir Dancealot, 10th in the Prix de la Foret (G1).
Jockey James Doyle sent Mubtasim to the lead out of the gate and he was pressed by Legends of War and stalked by Larchmont Lad and Dark Power. Turning for home, Mubtasim opened up a clear lead but Dark Power, confidently ridden by Frankie Dettori, collared him at the 1/8 pole to prevail by a head in 1:19.63. It was another 2 lengths back to late-running favorite Glorious Journey third.
Results Chart for the race from Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia which includes a link to the video replay. Results for US wagering:
2nd RACE King Abdulaziz Racecourse - STC 1351 Cup
1 Dark Power 57.40 44.60 19.80
9 Mubtasim 10.80 7.20
3 Glorious Journey 2.10
Running time - 1:19.63
$1.00 EXACTA 1-9 492.40
$1.00 TRIFECTA 1-9-3 2,178.70
$1.00 SUPERFECTA 1-9-3-11 16,494.30
Left: Frankie Dettori does his flying dismount off Dark Power in the winner's enclosure. Winning trainer Allan Smith said, "Frankie gave him a super ride. The main thing was getting him settled early on and Frankie just got him slotted in and relaxed. I always thought he'd make a seven-furlong (1400m) horse even when I bought him. We bought a sprinter, but he's always done his best at the end of a race. I'll take it!"
Right: The trophy presentation for the STC 1351 Cup.
Left: Dark Power in the post parade. Winning jockey Frankie Dettori said, "Sheikh Isa (Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, owner) is a friend of mine. I've been going to Bahrain for the last five years and I took the ride a month ago. I didn't know what to expect to be honest with you, but this is an amazing feeling. To win a race like this for your mates is a double-whammy. What they've done in the space of two months (with this turf course) is remarkable."
Right: Dark Power heads into the winner's circle after the race.
Left: Second place finisher Mubtasim in the walking ring. Jockey James Doyle said, "I know the winner well. I have won on him in Bahrain before. Frustrating, we had a dream run round. He stays the trip really well, I have no complaints. I'm delighted with him. I have been coming to Saudi Arabia quite a bit, I have seen the track develop and they have done a magnificent job with it."
Right: Third place finisher and beaten favorite Glorious Journey in the post parade.
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