Country Grammer will run in Saudi Cup, Baffert says

ARCADIA, Calif. – Country Grammer, who has not started since May 2021 when he won the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, will ship across the world for a potentially lucrative comeback on Feb. 26 in the $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.

Trainer Bob Baffert confirmed Sunday that Country Grammer has received an official invitation from Saudi Cup officials, and the 5-year-old would train into the one-turn, 1 1/8-mile race.

Baffert skipped the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes with Country Grammer on Saturday at Santa Anita, hoping to receive a Saudi Cup invitation. “I rolled the dice, that’s why I didn’t run him (in the San Pasqual),” Baffert said, adding he learned of the invite on Sunday.

Country Grammer won the Gold Cup at Santa Anita last year for owner WinStar Farm; he will have co-owners for the Saudi Cup. Zedan Racing Stables, owned by Amr Zedan, recently acquired co-ownership in Country Grammer along with Commonwealth Thoroughbreds. Zedan owned 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit.

Country Grammer worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Sunday at Santa Anita. The 5-year-old has won three races and $377,320 from eight starts. Baffert-trained Charlatan finished second in the 2021 Saudi Cup; his 2020 Saudi Cup runners Mucho Gusto and McKinzie finished fourth and 11th respectively.

Baffert also is expected to send the 3-year-old Pinehurst to the Saudi Derby on the Saudi Cup undercard.

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