RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Cultural differences aside, America and Saudi Arabia share a sporting appreciation for horse racing similar to other countries around the world, including Japan, Australia, England, France, and the United Arab Emirates. :: Get Free Saudi Cup PPs, presented by RUNHAPPY here:  As the world gets smaller and international racing gets bigger, top horses increasingly compete at places that once seemed out of reach. That includes the Saudi desert city of Riyadh, on the Arabian Peninsula, where history is about to be made. The $20 million Saudi Cup will become the world’s richest race on Saturday night, when it is run for the first time under the lights at King Abdulaziz Racetrack. Fourteen horses that have raced in 10 countries, including five top runners from America, will compete over a mile and one-eighth in a one-turn race that illustrates racing’s global expansion, the pursuit of sporting excellence, and offer the most lucrative prize ever for the winner of a horse race – $10 million. Champion 3-year-old Maximum Security and Grade 1 winner McKinzie join fellow American runners Mucho Gusto, champion female Midnight Bisou, and Tacitus in the Saudi Cup. The field gives instant significance to racing in Saudi Arabia, making it a major player alongside neighboring United Arab Emirates where the Dubai World Cup began in 1996. Thursday morning on a second-floor perch overlooking the long home stretch of King Abdulaziz, an influential architect of the Saudi Cup addressed the outstanding quality of the first edition. Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Al Faisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, had one eye on the track. “I always knew we could pull something off of this quality,” he said. “This region has Dubai leading in that area. It can be done . . . Then he stopped, as a well-known colt galloped past. “I just want to watch Maximum Security,” he said, politely. :: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter The interruption was revealing – horse first. Prince Bandar continued, “Right from the get-go, we decided let’s get people that have done this before and know what they’re doing, and can tell us what we need to do, and have good relations with the trainers and owners so there’s a level of trust. The prize money had something to do with it, as well.” The money had a lot to do with it, so did the scheduling. Saudi officials, with support from the International Racing Bureau, positioned the Saudi Cup to follow the $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, and placed it one month before the $12 million Dubai World Cup on March 28. So the racing season that once ended in autumn with the Breeders’ Cup Classic, now extends to spring and keeps older horses racing beyond a time when they might normally retire. The result is a stellar international field for the first Saudi Cup. In addition to the American quintet, the lineup includes multiple-continent Group 1 winner Benbatl, a turf horse who scored an impressive recent victory on dirt in Dubai, and Capezzano, Grade 3 comeback winner by seven lengths only 16 days ago, also in Dubai. The undefeated Chrysoberyl and Group 1 winner Gold Dream are from Japan; Great Scot and Magic Wand hail from Europe; Gronkowski and North America also ship from Dubai; Mjjack from Saudi Arabia is the local hopeful with five straight wins at King Abdulaziz. Beyond the purse, Bob Baffert said, “It’s for bragging rights, that’s what horse racing’s all about.” Baffert trains McKinzie and Mucho Gusto. McKinzie is racing for the first time since a runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Mucho Gusto won the Pegasus last month. The horse to beat is Maximum Security, winner of Grade 1 Cigar Mile. His feistiness this week in Saudi Arabia might be an indication that he is feeling good. Jason Servis trains Maximum Security, whose misbehavior was evident while training on Tuesday. “He can be a bit of a problem in the morning,” Servis acknowledged. “There was a bit of a mix-up [Tuesday] with the pony. I had issues with him. There was a communication problem with the pony. He can be a handful.” Servis’ son Garrett cared for and rode Maximum Security prior to Jason’s arrival in Saudi Arabia. Early this week, Garrett felt the colt’s wrath when he bit him severely on a finger. Maximum Security, first across the wire in eight of nine starts, requires handlers to keep their guard up. Maximum Security’s owners are breeders Gary and Mary West and Coolmore, which recently purchased a 50 percent interest in the colt. Luis Saez rides Maximum Security, who can make the lead, or press the pace. “I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1,000 times, he does not have to be on the lead,” Servis said. Last time out, Maximum Security led gate to wire in the Cigar Mile. Maximum Security drew post 7, outside front-runner North America in post 4. North America has no option from that post. He must use his speed, which could translate to a perfect trip for Maximum Security pressing the pace outside, or going on with it. McKinzie has tactical speed but he drew outside in post 9 where jockey Joel Rosario can press or stalk. McKinzie, owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, could aim for the Dubai World Cup if he runs well in the Saudi Cup and exits the race in good shape. Baffert has been bullish regarding Mucho Gusto, who defeated a suspect field last out in the Pegasus, a race in which favorite Higher Power completely misfired. Mucho Gusto has always ranked a notch below the best in his division. “He’s changed a lot, he’s filled out,” Baffert said. He maintains that Mucho Gusto is a changed horse, and that the light bulb finally went on. Irad Ortiz rides Mucho Gusto. Baffert schooled McKinzie and Mucho Gusto in the gate on successive days this week, Wednesday and Thursday, which is not typical. “We’ve noticed here that the starting gate is from France so it’s very narrow and there’s no room for a guy to handle him in the gate where American horses are used to being handled,” Baffert explained. Tacitus has impressed in workouts and appearance this week, and looms an intriguing upset candidate in his first start since finishing third in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup in September at Belmont. Trained by Bill Mott, who won the first running of the Dubai World Cup with Cigar, Tacitus will remove blinkers. Owned and bred by Juddmonte Farms, Tacitus finished fourth across the wire, 3 1/4 lengths behind Maximum Security in the Kentucky Derby. Jose Lezcano rides Tacitus. Midnight Bisou will be rolling late under jockey Mike Smith. Severe kickback compromised her chances in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita last out. The runner-up finish was her only loss in eight starts last year. The main track at King Abdulaziz produces minimal kickback. The handicapping question for Midnight Bisou – is she good enough? She finished a nose in front of Elate last summer at Saratoga. Elate subsequently finished fourth by nearly 11 lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, or roughly seven lengths behind McKinzie. Based on the form line of Elate, Midnight Bisou faces a challenge. Midnight Bisou’s trainer is Steve Asmussen. Her owner is Jeff Bloom and partners. Post time for the Saudi Cup is 8:40 p.m. local time, which is 12:40 p.m. Eastern and 9:40 a.m. Pacific. The race will be shown live on FS1 as part of a broadcast that begins at noon Eastern.