Magnitude on track for 4-year-old debut in Saudi Cup

Magnitude, one of the more interesting older dirt-route horses in North America, remains on course to leave North America for his 4-year-old debut.

Magnitude’s connections secured a spot in the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 14 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh and Magnitude has so far hit every mark preparing for the race.

“He’s been training great. He flies over on Feb. 2,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Magnitude for Ron Winchell’s Winchell Thoroughbreds.

Magnitude, as a 43-1 shot, popped a 108 Beyer Speed Figure, an astronomical figure for an early-season 3-year-old, capturing the Risen Star Stakes last February, but came out of the race injured and didn’t start again until July. He lost the Travers Stakes by more than 20 lengths to Sovereignty but got back on track finishing second behind Baeza with a demanding trip in the Pennsylvania Derby before beating older horses – including 2025 Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show – in the Clark on Nov. 28.

Magnitude shipped to Fair Grounds from Kentucky, posted his first work there on Dec. 22, and has kept to a Monday breeze schedule while showing his trainer continued development toward his physical peak.

“He’s just a stronger horse now,” Asmussen said when asked how Magnitude had changed since the Travers.

:: Big Action in the Big Easy at Fair Grounds! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now.

While Asmussen was to run Gun Runner Stakes winner Chip Honcho in the Jan. 17 Lecomte, he has another Fair Grounds-based 3-year-old, Soldier N Diplomat, aimed toward the $1 million Southwest Stakes on Jan. 31 at Oaklawn.

A fading fourth in the Grade 1 Hopeful after a narrow Saratoga debut victory, Soldier N Diplomat won a first-level allowance over a one-turn Churchill Downs mile by nine lengths before contesting a fast pace and holding for third Nov. 29 in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, his two-turn debut.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.