Met Mile in play for Saudi Crown's next start

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Grade 1 winner Saudi Crown and the 3-year-old colt Munnings Challenge have been two of the most notable winners trainer Brad Cox has had at the current Oaklawn Park meet that closes May 2.

Saudi Crown launched his 6-year-old season here March 5 with a ratings handicap win over 1 1/16 miles, earning one of the meet’s best Beyer Speed Figures, a 101. Saudi Crown then traveled to Keeneland and won the Grade 3 Commonwealth over seven furlongs April 4. For his next start, the $3.6 million earner could return to Grade 1 company, according to Cox.

“The Met Mile’s in play,” Cox said of the $1 million race June 6 at Saratoga. “It would be his third run off the layoff. I think if he’s doing well and it comes up the right way, we may take a swing there.”

Saudi Crown is a son of Always Dreaming who races for FMQ Stables.

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Munnings Challenge won a maiden special weight here April 11. He covered six furlongs in 1:09.48 and earned one of the meet’s top Beyers for a 3-year-old, a 94. Munnings Challenge recently shipped to Churchill.

“I think, for the time being, we’ll probably keep him around one turn,” Cox said. “He’s obviously got a lot of speed and I’m not sure how far he wants to go. He did run fast. He received good numbers, and I think the wise thing to do with him is take our time and try to develop him.”

Cox trains Munnings Challenge for his breeder, Novogratz Racing Stable. He is by Munnings and is the first foal to race from multiple stakes winner Amy’s Challenge, according to available records. Amy’s Challenge was a five-time stakes winner who won three sprint races at Oaklawn and earned $697,273.

“He’s a very good-looking horse,” Cox said of Munnings Challenge. “A strong, more of a one-turn type to physically look at.”

Cox said Munnings Challenge could run back in an overnight race.

“I think right now, maybe a first-level allowance, and I think one against straight 3-year-olds would be a good spot,” he said. “But as the year goes on, that becomes less of an option. I’m not saying we wouldn’t end up in a stakes in our next run, but it would have to be the right one, and we’d have to feel fairly comfortable about jumping from a maiden to the stakes. We’re in no rush with him.”

Munnings Challenge has made one other start, finishing second in a quick maiden special weight March 1 at Oaklawn.

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