The Saudi Cup 2023 entries are confirmed with 13 horses doing battle for the $10m first prize in what’s the world’s richest horse race. The betting sees the Bob Baffert-trained Taiba as favourite as he tries to offer the barn their first winner on this high-income contest.
The Saudi Cup can be run on Saturday, February 25 at 12:35pm (ET)
Bob Baffert Has First Two In The Saudi Cup Betting
2022 Winner Emblem Highway Is Again For Extra
Frankie Dettori To Journey Nation Grammer
Saudi Cup Head-to-Head Runners Information
Coach Bob Baffert Has The First Two In The Saudi Cup Betting
The Bob Baffert barn could have a robust hand in Saturday’s $20m Saudi Cup, with Taiba and Nation Grammer trying prone to be the primary and second favorites within the betting.
Taiba was a very good winner of the RUNHAPPY Malibu Stakes on Boxing Day (watch beneath) and earlier than that was a superb third to Flightline within the Breeders’ Cup Traditional at Keeneland.
He received’t be assembly a horse of Flightline’s capability on Saturday and in consequence the very best US horse racing Sportsbooks are taking no probabilities having Taiba in because the clear 2023 Saudi Cup favorite.
2022 Saudi Cup Winner Emblem Highway Bidding To Defend Crown
Emblem Highway was the shock Saudi Cup winner final yr to win the 2022 Saudi Cup and returns to defend his crown on Saturday.
Since banking the $10 monster pot, Emblem Highway has raced simply twice – ending fifth within the Grand Prix de Vichy final July however returned final day out at Riyadh (Jan 13, 2023) to win. He appears to adore the grime observe and after final yr’s victory can’t be discounted.
Did You Know? ALL Three previous Saudi Cup winners have been aged 4 years-old.
Frankie Dettori Will get the Journey On Nation Grammer In 2023 Saudi Cup
The 2022 Dubai World Cup winner Nation Grammer would be the mount of Frankie Dettori, who has been using winners at Santa Anita just lately. That is additionally Dettori’s closing season using, having introduced his retirement from the saddle final yr – with this his farewell tour marketing campaign.
Nation Grammer additionally took silver within the 2022 Saudi Cup, in order that helpful expertise can be an enormous optimistic and is one other from the Bob Baffert barn.
The 6 year-old has received over $11m in complete prize cash and heads into Saturday’s race having received the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on Boxing Day.
2023 Saudi Cup Runners: Head-by-Head Information
Listed below are the ultimate 2023 Saudi Cup entries, with the riders, trainers, draw and newest betting odds from BetOnline (topic to alter)
1. Cafe Pharoah
Coach: Noriyuki HoriJockey: Joao MoreiraAge: 6Stall: 13Odds: 5/1
Grade One successful horse from Japan that was final seen in October when successful the Mile Championship Nanbu Hai. Has raced properly off a break previously so the 138-break is ok, however broad stall in 13 isn’t preferrred.
2. Nation Grammer
Coach: Bob BaffertJockey: Frankie DettoriAge: 6Stall: 10Odds: 6/1
Took silver within the race final yr and the experience of Frankie Dettori, who’s but to lose using the horse (2 runs). Gained the 2022 Dubai World Cup although and is a really constant performer with a prime two end in his final 8 races. Draw 10 not nice (drawn 1 final yr), so a Frankie masterclass is perhaps wanted. Regardless, remains to be an enormous participant from an enormous steady and anticipated to be within the shake-up.
3. Crown Satisfaction
Coach: Koichi ShintaniJockey: Damian LaneAge: 4Stall: 3Odds: 10/1
One other Japanese runner. Final in motion when a neck second within the G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo – crushed by one other Saudi Cup runner Jun Gentle Bolt. Has a greater stall in 3 this time and no shock to see him overturn that run.
4. Emblem Highway
Coach: Mital AlmulawahJockey: Alexis MorenoAge: 5Stall: 8Odds: 10/1
Shock winner of the Saudi Cup final yr and returns to attempt to defend his crown. Solely had two runs since that large success 12 months in the past, however got here again to the observe to win final month right here. Adores the grime (5-from-5) and loves the Riyadh observe. It might be one other shocker if he can win once more, however on this floor and at this course suggests he can’t be dominated out.
5. Geoglyph
Coach: Tetsuya KimuraJockey: Chrisophe-Patrice LemaireAge: 4Stall: 12Odds: 20/1
One more Japan entry, however a good bit to reply after operating down the sphere final time within the G1 Hong Kong Cup. A large attract 12 additionally makes life exhausting.
6. Jun Gentle Bolt
Coach: Yasuo TomominchiJockey: Ryan MooreAge: 6Stall: 6Odds: 8/1
Beat Crown Satisfaction by only a neck final time to win the G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo in Japan. The experience for prime UK jockey Ryan Moore and has been given a helpful stall in 6. Exhausting to select holes in latest type, with three wins on the spin and can be more energizing than most with 83 days off. Actually has an opportunity.
RELATED: Greatest Offshore Sportsbooks – Trusted Offshore Sports activities Betting Websites for US Gamers
7. Panthalassa
Coach: Yoshito YahagiJockey: Yutaka YoshidaAge: 6Stall: 1Odds: 10/1
Ran down the sphere in tenth within the Kong Hong Cup on most up-to-date run and is now 4 races and not using a victory. Final success was in March 2022 when beating Lord North within the Dubai Turf at Meydan. First rate stall in 1 will assist although and having not stayed just lately, the return in distance can be a optimistic. This can be his first run on grime however not and not using a squeak from draw 1 if taking to the floor.
8. Remore
Coach: Bhupat SeemarJockey: Tadhg O’SheaAge: 6Stall: 7Odds: 30/1
Gained at Meydan final December, however that was solely a Listed degree race. Third final time in a G2, however crushed 8 1/2 lengths and with only one win from his final seven could be tall order. Was additionally slightly below 5 lengths behind Nation Grammer within the Dubai World Cup final season.
9. Scotland Yard
Coach: Mital AlmulawahJockey: Victor GutierrezAge: 4Stall: 4Odds: 20/1
Beautiful attract 4 and comes right here off the again of a really clean 10 1/2 size win at this course. Up at school from that run, so extra wanted, however lightly-raced so might definitely have extra within the tank. Might go properly at a pleasant place value.
10. Taiba
Coach: Bob BaffertJockey: Mike E SmithAge: 4Stall: 2Odds: 5/2
The anticipated Saudi Cup favorite and it’s not exhausting to see why. The Bob Baffert-trained 4 yr was a very simple winner of the RUNHAPPY Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita on his final begin. Earlier than that was a good third to stylish Flightline within the Breeders’ Cup Traditional and with solely seven profession runs we’ve in all probability not bought to the underside of him but. Properly drawn in 2 and with ALL of the previous three Saudi Cup winners aged 4, he’s bought this principal age stat in his nook too. The one all of the others must beat.
11. Vin De Garde
Coach: Hideaki FujiwaraJockey: Mickael BarzalonaAge: 7Stall: 9Odds: 20/1
A detailed third within the Dubai Turf final March however has not been since (265 days off). Due to this fact, his health must be taken on belief. Wider stall in 9 and you’re feeling this Japanese 7 year-old may simply discover some youthful legs enhance previous him right here.
12. Lagertha Rhyme
Coach: Naif AlmandeelJockey: Ricardo FerreiraAge: 5Stall: 11Odds: 30/1
Been handed the 11 stall and up to date type counsel this 5 year-old mare has some enchancment to seek out at this degree. The optimistic is that she is going to get a helpful 5lbs mares’ allowance from the others however it’s unlikely that may nonetheless be adequate.
13. Sundown Flash
Coach: Naif AlmindeelJockey: A AlsarhaniAge: 7Stall: 5Odds: 30/1
Second filly within the contest, so will one other that may get the mares’ 5lb allowance. Under-par the final day right here in a G3 race, over 6f. Could do higher over the longer distance however is one other that is perhaps a bit lengthy within the tooth at 7 years-old. Could be a shock winner, however we had a type of final yr.
Observe: Odds are topic to alter
What Time Is The 2023 Saudi Cup?
📅Time/Date: 12:35pm (ET) (Saturday twenty fifth Feb 2023)🏇Racecourse: Riyadh💰 Purse/Winner: $20m ($10m to winner)📺 TV: NBC