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Santa Anita, Derby Dubai World Cup Wood Memorial Day Dubai World Cup Works Dubai World Cup entries |
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 Jockey Ryusei Sakai celebrates aboard Forever Young after winning the Saudi Cup. |
The Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse is the richest horse race in the world. Conditions were ideal for racing in Riyadh on Saturday night, with clear skies, a race time temperature of 26 C (79 F), the main track rated fast and turf course good-to-firm.
In the main event, a field of 14 older horses contested the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at 1800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) around one turn out of the long chute of the 1 1/4 mile main dirt track, with the winner also earning automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on November 1. Romantic Warrior was sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the field of 14, off an 8-race win streak including the Hong Kong Cup (G1) at Sha Tin and the Jebel Hatta (G1) in Dubai. In to challenge him included 9-4 second choice Forever Young. winner of the Tokyo Daishoten (G1) after finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), and 12-1 third choice Rattle N Roll, winner of the Clark (G2) at Churchill Downs and the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3), the main local prep for the Saudi Cup.
Jockey Mohamed Aldaham sent 80-1 Al Musmak to the lead out of the chute through fractions of 25.33 48.09, and 1:10.50 while pressed by 14-1 Walk of Stars and stalked by 85-1 Defunded and Forever Young. Turning for home, favorite Romantic Warrior, midpack early, moved out for room by jockey James McDonald and swept to the front, opening up a clear lead through 1 mile in 1:35.91. Forever Young, confidently ridden by Ryusei Sakai, rallied late and outfinished Romantic Warrior to win by a neck in 1:49.09. It was a long 10 1/2 lengths back to late-running 34-1 Ushba Tesoro third.
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# Horse Jockey Win Place 5 Forever Young Sakai 6.60 2.70 9 Romantic Warrior McDonald 2.40 10 Ushba Tesoro Sugawara 12.70 Winning Time: 1:49.09 $1 Exacta 5-9 9.60 $1 Trifecta 5-9-10 13.90 $1 Superfecta 5-9-10-13 766.40Results Chart from Racing Post |
Forever Young in the winner's circle after the Saudi Cup. Winning jockey Ryusei Sakai said, "He jumped very well from the wide gate in 14 and got into a nice position without a problem. It was my tactics to be in that situation. I believe in Forever Young, I never thought I'd lose the race. This is the best moment in my life."
The trophy presentation for the Saudi Cup. Winning trainer Yoshito Yahagi said, "This is my second win in The Saudi Cup, but no matter how many wins you have in The Saudi Cup, it is still a great feeling. I didn't have confidence; I believed in him. You know when he came here to run in the Saudi Derby, he was not in the best condition and he still won. Since that time, he has improved a lot and was in better condition today. I would like to thank all the people of The Saudi Cup who support us. We will go to the Dubai World Cup."
The $1.5 million Saudi National Bank Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) featured a field of 12 older horses going 1200 meters (about 6 furlongs) on the main track, with the winner also earning automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) on November 1.. Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Straight No Chaser was sent off as the 9-10 favorite over 9-2 second choice Remake, winner of the Korea Sprint (G3) before finishing 11th in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, and 15-2 third choice Jasper Krone, second in the Korea Sprint.
Jasper Krone was quickest away through an opening quarter of 23.79 before jockey John Velazquez sent Straight No Chaser to the lead through a half in. 46.46. Into the stretch Straight No Chaser drew away through 5f in 58.46 and cruised the rest of the way to a 3 3/4 length win over 38-1 Muqtahem. It was another 1/2 length back back to late-running 8-1 fourth choice Gabby's Sister third.
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# Horse Jockey Win Place 10 Straight No Chaser Velazquez 3.90 2.50 5 Muqtahem Aldaham 14.00 11 Gabby's Sister Lemaire 4.80 Winning Time: 1:11.16 $2 Exacta 10-5 142.40 $1 Trifecta 10-5-11 345.60 $1 Superfecta 10-5-11-12 5,036.80Results Chart from Racing Post |
Straight No Chaser heads to the winner's circle. Winning jockey John Velazquez said, "He broke so sharp and I was trying to get loose reins. Then he was looking for the bit and I didn't want to touch him. I just wanted him to relax. All of a sudden [Jasper Krone] took back a little bit and my horse engaged and I said, ‘Let's go'. Turning for home he was moving really well and then passing the sixteenth pole he idled a little bit and started looking around and I said, 'Oh no, no idling here' and he finished up well."
Winning trainer Dan Blacker added, "I'm just really proud of the horse and I'm glad he gets to prove himself on the global stage against the fastest horses in the world. It's pretty exciting. I'm thankful for The Saudi Cup and Prince Bandar for welcoming us here and I'm fired up that he's a Breeders' Cup winner who's now won a Breeders' Cup 'Win & You're In'. We'll see how he comes out, but hopefully on to Dubai."
Kicking off the graded stakes action was the only age-restricted race on Saudi Cup night, the $1.5 million ZOOD Realty Saudi Derby (G3), for 3-year-olds going 1600 meters (about 1 mile) around 1 turn on the main track. Jerome Stakes winner Cyclone State was sent off as the 2-1 favorite in the field of 9 over 5-2 second choice Myriad Love, undefeated winner of the Zen Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki, and 9-2 third choice Golden Vekoma, winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) in Dubai.
Jockey Akira Sugawara sent Shin Forever to the lead first time by through fractions of 23.81, 45.88, and 1:10.49 while pressed by Myriad Love and stalked by 15-2 fourth choice Mistress. Into the stretch, Shin Forever continued to lead through 7f in 1:23.92 but Golden Vekoma, 4th early under Connor Beasley, swept to the lead at the 1/16 pole to win going away by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:38.19. It was another 3 3/4 lengths back to late-running 25-1 Mhally third, while favorite Cyclone State showed nothing and was eased in the stretch to finish last beaten 27 3/4 lengths.
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# Horse Jockey Win Place 6 Golden Vekoma Beasley 11.70 3.10 9 Shin Forever Sugawara 5.50 8 Mhally Ferreira 11.60 Winning Time: 1:38.19 $2 Exacta 6-9 125.80 $1 Trifecta 6-9-8 557.90 $1 Superfecta 6-9-8-10 2,091.40Results Chart from Racing Post |
Golden Vekoma in the winner's enclosure. Winning jockey Connor Beasley said, "It was delightful, we were going good fractions down the back and it was just a matter of keeping tabs on them. Once I hit the straight there, he went about his job really well and galloped all the way to the line. Once I was half a length down on the leader, I always thought he was going to get there. What this horse has done for us this season is pretty special and he is only going to go on to bigger and better things."
Winning trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash added, "I am very proud. He's a good horse and he has a big heart, he'll try always. He's been running very well over the mile so we thought we'd try here then wait for the UAE Derby. There was only question mark when he finished third [on debut in December], he didn't have any experience when we ran him, since that he has been running very well for us. It's good to win here, when you travel to another country it's hard, but it's good when you show your horse. It's good for the UAE and good for us."
The longest race on Saudi Cup night is the $2.5 million Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2), a 3000 meter (about 1 7/8 mile) marathon around three turns of the 1 1/8 mile turf course. Hong Kong Vase (G1) ninth place finisher Continuous was sent off as the 7-2 favorite over 4-1 second choice Epic Poet, a close third in the Al Khail Trophy (G3) in Dubai, and 9-2 third choice Gregory, fifth in the Doncaster Cup (G2).
Jockey James Doyle sent Gregory to the lead first time by through easy fractions of 27.88, 49.92, 1:15.21, and 1:43.04 while pressed by 8-1 Trafalgar Square and stalked by 16-1 Prydwen. Turning for home Prydwen was pulled up by jockey Callum Shepherd as Gregory tired, allowing 12-1 Presage Nocturne to briefly gain the lead. 14-1 Byzantine Dream, unhurried early under Oisin Murphy, came out to sweep to the lead and easily held off Epic Poet to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 3:06.63. It was another 2 lengths back to late-running favorite Continuous third.
# Horse Jockey Win Place 11 Byzantine Dream Murphy 31.80 8.30 9 Epic Poet Tudhope 3.40 1 Continuous Moore 4.30 Winning Time: 3:06.63 $1 Exacta 11-9 94.70 $1 Trifecta 11-9-1 684.40 $1 Superfecta 11-9-1-5 4,633.00Results Chart from Racing Post |
Winning jockey Oisin Murphy said, "He broke OK but I thought there would be a reasonable amount of pace and they went quicker than I expected. He felt super under me yesterday morning, although I only had about two hours' sleep when I got on him, but it was worth it. These are very famous colours [Kazumi Yoshida] and it was great to wear them and get on him. He had a good run in the Japanese St Leger, only beaten four lengths, and that was good enough here.
Winning trainer Tomoyasu Sakaguchi added, "I had a lot of expectations with him coming into the race, as the race should suit him. He has travelled very well, much better than expected and been training well. Everything went perfectly including a nice breeze before the race. The further plan has not been decided. I am so proud to be able to join the winning team of Japan tonight."
The $2 million Boutique Group 1351 Turf Sprint (G2) featured a field of 13 older horses sprinting 1351 meters (about 6 3/4 furlongs) around one turn of the turf course. Keisei Hei Autumn Handicap (G3) winner Ascoli Piceno was sent off as the 2-1 favorite over 6-1 second choice Annaf, third in the Kachy Stakes at Lingfield, and 17-2 third choice Howard Wolowitz, winner of the Franklin-Simpson (G1) at Kentucky Downs but ninth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1).
Jockey Kohei Matsuyama sent 17-2 Win Marvel to the lead down the backstretch through fractions of 21.94 and 43.42 while pressed by 12-1 Malyan and stalked by Ascoli Piceno. Win Marvel opened up a 2 length lead through 5f in 54.51 but Ascoli Piceno, confidently ridden by Christophe Lemaire, closed in the final furlong to get up by a head in 1:17.88. It was another length back to late-running 11-1 Goemon third.
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# Horse Jockey Win Place 12 Ascoli Piceno Lemaire 6.20 3.20 10 Win Marvel Matsuyama 5.60 5 Goemon Sanna 7.20 Winning Time: 1:17.88 $1 Exacta 12-10 23.60 $1 Trifecta 12-10-5 195.50 $1 Superfecta 12-10-5-4 1,850.60Results Chart from Racing Post |
Left: Ascoli Piceno in the winner's circle. Winning jockey Christophe Lemaire said, "I was behind until the last possible moment and then she produced that really good turn of foot that we know she has. She confirms that she is a very good filly. Today the track is very, very fast, so the horse in front was difficult to catch up with, but she battled bravely. It was a shorter distance than she usually runs over, but she follows easily in a race and today, being fresh, she was straight into a good rhythm and I knew that she was going to produce a great performance. I ride good horses here in Riyadh and she is a Group 1 filly. I was really confident today. Looking at the field, I thought she could win."
Right: Ascoli Piceno returns after the race. Winning trainer Yoichi Kuroiwa said, "I am so excited. Her final stride, I knew she got that. She races over the mile and this is a bit shorter distance, but she broke well and everything went smooth. I thought everything went smooth and she had good position on the rail but Win Marvel stayed on and I was like, A win is a win, even if it is tight. I'm too excited right now to think about the future. I will think about it when I am calm, but this expands her options a lot."
Jockey Ryusei Sakai sent Shin Emperor to the front first time by through quick fractions of 21:51, 45.40, and 1:10.43 while pressed by 17-2 fourth choice Trustyourinstinct and stalked by 19-1 Haunted Dream and 25-1 Killer Ability. Turning for home, Shin Emperor continued to lead through 1 mile in 1:32.95, and easily held off late-running 20-1 Calif to win gate-to-wire by 1 3/4 lengths in 2:07.74. It was another 1/2 length back to Al Riffa third.
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# Horse Jockey Win Place 6 Shin Emperor Sakai 3.70 2.20 3 Calif Sanna 9.00 1 Al Riffa Take 3.10 Winning Time: 2:07.74 $1 Exacta 6-3 24.60 $1 Trifecta 6-3-1 56.60 $1 Superfecta 6-3-1-4 735.80Results Chart from Racing Post |
Shin Emperor returns after the race. Winning jockey Ryusei Sakai said, "We planned to go to the front, he was travelling very nice and relaxed and I was very comfortable all the way. Another horse was there on the outside, but my horse was better, so I had no worries. I knew I was going to win. He has improved and keeps improving and will run maybe in the Dubai Sheema Classic next time. Always nice to win at The Saudi Cup."
Winning trainer Yoshito Yahagi added, "For our strategy, as long as he jumped well, he would take the lead to avoid some disadvantages or interference. With 200m remaining, I was convinced he would win. In consideration of today's track condition and bias, we thought the front position would be advantageous. Right after the Japan Cup last year, we have been targeting this race. He is a very versatile type of horse and can handle any distance, so I would like to ask someone who can tell me which distance is the best for him. We will go to the Dubai Sheema Classic next."
 Austral wins the Saudi International Handicap |
Left: Austral in the winner's circle. Winning jockey Christophe Soumillon said, "It wasn't easy. The pace was quite slow, especially on the first corner on the back straight. I was in good position, but unfortunately a horse hung out so I didn't have a clear run. Luckily this horse loves to fight, he did exactly the same thing in Qatar. He's got a big heart. In front the pace suddenly slowed down and I was going a bit too well. I could feel that he still had lots left in the tank. He is a real fighter and when I asked him to quicken 250m from the post, he was already accelerating himself and just gave everything."
Right: Austral returns after the race. Winning trainer Jean de Mieulle said, "We had to nurture this horse because he ran in this race last year and unfortunately he got a knee injury. We never really found what was exactly wrong and we gave him a lot of time off. And he has come back with a lot of enthusiasm. He is a big horse so he can carry me! It's just such a pleasure to win a thoroughbred abroad for Al Shaqab Racing. I have a stable in France, so we can have a plan for the summer in France now, maybe go for a Listed race."
 Tilal Al Khalediah wins the Obaiya Classic |
Tilal Al Khalediah in the winner's circle. Winning jockey Adel Alfouraidi said, "It's an honour to win this race again. I know this horse, he loves this track, and I was not afraid of any of the other horses."
Winning trainer Nasser Mutlaq added, "This horse, I love him so much. Group 1 after Group 1, he does it every time. He can go for the Kahayla in Dubai now. He makes me happy. I've known him for five years and he's a champion. I have a great team."
 Almobeer wins the Jockey Club Local Handicap |
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