A 5/2 favorite to claim the most lucrative event on the horse racing calendar—half of the $20 million prize pool will go to the winner—Maximum Security heads a five-horse American contingent in the field of the Saudi Cup.
The four-year-old colt won the Florida Derby, Haskell Invitational, Bold Ruler Handicap and the Cigar Mile last year and crossed the line first at the Kentucky Derby, only to be disqualified for interference.
Maximum Security’s two closest challengers will start right next to him, with the U.S. pair of Mucho Gusto and McKinzie set to begin the race from posts No. 8 and No. 9 respectively.
The second-favorite at 3/1, McKinzie has shown remarkable consistency throughout his career, finishing first or second in 13 of his 14 starts.
Trained by Bob Baffert, who is no stranger to winning in the Middle East, McKinzie finished second to Vino Rosso in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November last year.
While he performed well over 1 1/4 miles, the fact the Saudi Cup is contested over nine furlongs (1.1 miles) should help his cause.
Baffert also trains 8/1 third-favorite Mucho Gusto, who won the Pegasus World Cup earlier this year.
The four-year-old has room to improve and Baffert was optimistic over the stallion’s chances of success.
“He’s always shown up. He’s always run hard. He’ll be right there,” the 67-year-old told reporters on Wednesday.
“Until you put them in the gate you never really know. You’re watching and all of a sudden, they turn it on. They’ve adjusted a little bit. You have to come with really good horses. If you get away well and have some luck you still have to show up.”
Joint-third favorite Capezzano will start from post No. 13, with 33/1 outsider Mijack taking the outside post.
Having drawn the outside post at the Belmont Stakes last year, Tacitus will start from gate No. 2 on Saturday, with the fifth member of the American contingent, Midnight Bisou, starting from post No. 6.
While Tacitus is a 20/1 outsider, bookmakers expect Midnight Bisou to be firmly in contention. A fourth-favorite at 8/1, the mare won seven of the eight races she entered last year, but will tackle male horses for the first time in her 2020 debut.
Gold Dream will start from the inside post, with fellow Japanese star Chrysoberyl starting from post No. 10.
The former is a 33/1 outsider, while the latter will start off at 10/1 after winning all the six races he has entered so far.
British hopes rely on Benbatl and North America, who are 11/2 and 25/1 respectively and will start from gate No. 3 and No. 4.
The former made his dirt track debut with a relatively easy win at the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2, a Grade 2 race, earlier this year, and trainer Saeed bin Suroor is confident ahead of Saturday.
“It would mean a lot for us to win,” Bin Suroor said earlier this week.
“It is the first-ever Saudi Cup and the first big international race in Saudi. It is a very important race and would be important for us to see him run well and win. He has been a very good Group 1 horse for us and very versatile. I’m very happy with him and I think he will give a good run.”
Saudi Cup post positions and odds
Gold Dream 33/1Tacitus 20/1Benbatl 11/2North America 25/1Gronkowski 25/1Midnight Bisou 8/1Maximum Security 5/2Mucho Gusto 6/1McKinzie 3/1Chrysoberyl 10/1Great Scot 50/1Magic Wand 33/1Capezzano 6/1Mijack 33/1
Purse and prize money
The inaugural edition of the race carries the significant incentive of a $20 million prize pool—which makes it the most lucrative event in the sport.
Half of the sum will go to the winner.
