Saudi Cup Day at King Abdulaziz Racecourse delivers one of the most international and competitive programs in racing. This breakdown combines 22-1 Tom’s selections and Rich’s ranks for Races 5–9, including the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, 1351 Turf Sprint, Neom Turf Cup, Red Sea Turf Handicap, and the Saudi Cup. With elite global runners, surface switches, distance questions, and pace dynamics in play.
SAUDI CUP DAY
RACE 5
Tom’s Tips
5 – Imagination
His last two races have been a win and then second in the Breeders’ Cup
Sprint. He’s had fast workouts at Santa Anita to prepare for this race. When
he gets himself in trouble, he doesn’t win. Baffert/Prat.
13 – Gabby’s Sister
She ran fourth in her last two races, being close to the pace. She won a
group race and has run this distance (roughly) nine times, winning four,
placing second once, and third once. This is the right spot for a good result.
6 – Just Beat The Odds
He has speed and has been running in top form in optional claimers, then
won a stakes race at Aqueduct last time out. Layoffs are normal for him, so
he will be ready for a big effort. Irad will be long for the ride.
Rich’s Ranks
8 – MUQTAHEM – Longshot that won 4 in a row, big step up, but 2 seconds faster in last
5 – IMAGINATION – fires off the bench – 3 of the last 4 hit triple digits
12 – YAMANIN CERCHI – ran 6f in 1:09 last time – that’s fast enough for most races
6 – JUST BEAT THE ODDS – ITM 12/13 races – enough EP to keep up but solid LP
RACE 6
Tom’s Tips
13 – Time To Dazzle
This Mark Casse-trained horse won last time at Keeneland in a graded stakes race. He
ran twice at Kentucky Downs, finishing second as a big favorite in an allowance race
and fourth in a stakes race behind Ag Bullet. An interesting move using Oisin Murphy
for the ride.
2 – Comanche Brave
Ran third last time by two lengths in the UAE last time. He didn’t finish, and in the race
before, he went third in the final strides. Ryan Moore has won this horse before and
appears to be ready for a big effort today.
8 – Panja Tower
He has good speed, got in trouble last time, and finished fifth. He won his two prior
races, including the group one NHK Mile Cup. The change in jockeys is ok, and he will
have a good run in this race.
Rich’s Ranks
5 – LAZZAT – turf breeding is excellent – definitely has stood tall against this type of company
8 – PANJA TOWER – may favorite type – all or nothing – 7/4-0-0
13 – TIME TO DAZZLE – If workouts mean anything – this one is ready
2 – COMANCHE BRAVE – don’t think he is going to win, but close into the money
RACE 7
Tom’s Tips
4 – Galen
He ran fourth last time at Sha Tin behind top-class Romantic Warrior. He ran second in
Bahrain the time before. He’s been good at running in the money, but he’s placed in this
race with a good chance off the last run.
6 – Royal Champion
He beat my top choice in Bahrain last time out. He ran third in the Irish Champion race
at Leopardstown and had a winning effort at York. The only dud race he’s run recently
was at Royal Ascot. Off the last effort, he will be one of the horses to beat.
9 – Yamanin Bouclier
At times, he runs well, with two wins from ten starts, but other times he is positioned
well but doesn’t finish, or is close up and then goes backwards. This is an interesting
spot for him, and the odds will reflect whether he has a chance.
Rich’s Ranks
1 – ALOHI ALII – usually comes off the bench ready – got blasted in lone GI
8 – SILAWI – he either runs well enough to win or quits – breeding is excellent
6 – ROYAL CHAMPION – good form – has proven he can put in elite efforts
5 – PHANTOM FLIGHT – tough call over the 7 – but 7’s form is awful – two big wins in a row and better in 2nd up
RACE 8
Tom’s Tips
8 – Goodie Two Shoes
She ran a big race last time in the Melbourne Cup at 40-1 and ran second. She
maintained a good position in the race and was headed, but didn’t finish. This race was
at two miles, and the drop back will help. At seven, she appears to be getting better.
6 – Tennessee Stud
His last two efforts were a win and a fourth at ParisLongchamp in group two races. He
has started nine times and won three, second once, and third three times. If he runs
back to the last effort, he will be closing at the end.
9 – Espoir Avenir
He will not attract much attention at long odds but has run well in nine starts, with three
wins. He won in August at ParisLongchamp in a group three with a strong finish. In his
last two races, he ran fourth both times. He was trying at the end. He is last year’s
Swiss Derby winner.
Rich’s Ranks
12 – TARRIANCE – lone bad run was on soft – doubt that it will be soft in the desert
8 – GOODIE TWO SHOES – winner 6/12 – 1st up record is sketchy
3 – EPIC POET – 2nd here last year – solid first up effort and could be better in round 2
1 – PRESAGE NOCTURNE – been in versus the toughest company most often – can throw in some bad races
RACE 9 – SAUDI CUP – GRADE I
Tom’s Tips
8 – Nysos
This is a horse on a four-race winning streak with a Breeders’ Cup mile win and last
time in the Laffit Pincay at Santa Anita. He finished second in one of his eight races,
with wins in every other. A late-developing horse, but it has shown that patience was the
best approach. Baffert/Prat.
13 – Tumbaruma
He ran a strong race last time, running second at Meydan. His race before was
disappointing after winning at Churchill Downs and then running fourth in the same race
as my top choice. He will need to be closer to the pace to have a chance, and James
Doyle will ride for the first time.
7 – Nevada Beach
This is the “other” Baffett horse who should be close to the pace. His dud was in the
Breeders’ Cup Classic (he had a troubled trip), but in the other races, he ran first or
second six out of seven times. Watch the odds because he could win this one.
Rich’s Ranks
3 – FOREVER YOUNG – 2 for 2 at the track – defending champ – 4/4 at the distance
8 – NYSOS – never ran a speed figure below 100 – don’t think I’ve ever seen that before
7 – NEVADA BEACH – 3/3 at the distance – should get a nice staking trip
14 – AMEERAT ALZAMAAN – local horse – 8/6-2-0 at the track
