Disco Time's next race could be Saudi Cup
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OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Disco Time’s dominant and fast victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Dwyer Stakes earned him a shot at the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 14 in Riyadh and that could very well be the undefeated colt’s next start.
The Saudi Cup is 98 days from the Dwyer. Disco Time, who remained undefeated in five starts, won the Dwyer off a 50-day layoff after he won the St. Louis Derby off a 244-day layoff. He won the Dwyer by 9 3/4 lengths, ran a mile in 1:33.86 and earned a 107 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.
“We could possibly run him without a race in between,” trainer Brad Cox said Sunday. “I’m not certain he has to have another race.”
Cox has run Mandaloun (9th in 2022) and Saudi Crown (3rd in 2024) in the Saudi Cup. In both instances, those horses ran in and won the Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds in the third week in January before shipping to Riyadh. This year, however, the Saudi Cup is being held a week earlier than usual, which might take the Louisiana Stakes, to be run Jan. 17, out of the mix.
Disco Time, a son of Not This Time owned by Juddmonte, needed time after he won the Grade 3 Lecomte at Fair Grounds last January. His two races since his return are far superior from a speed-figure standpoint than what he was running prior to the layoff. His 107 Beyer in the Dwyer followed his 101 for winning the St. Louis Derby.
“He’s a better version of himself,” Cox said. “He’s grown, matured and gotten faster.”
In his last three victories, Disco Time rallied from 10th of 13 to win the Lecomte, went gate to wire in the St. Louis Derby and stalked the pace for the first five furlongs in the Dwyer.
“I used this race more because of the timing and running against straight [3-year-olds],” Cox said. “He doesn’t always get the same trip, which is encouraging moving forward.”
Cox said Disco Time will remain at Belmont Park for a few days before shipping either to Churchill Downs or Payson Park.
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