My World will point to Saudi Derby
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OZONE PARK, N.Y. – My World will soon be traveling to a different part of the world.
My World, winner of the Nashua and Jerome Stakes in his last two starts at Aqueduct, will soon be headed to Saudi Arabia to compete in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby on Feb. 14 at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh. He will join his fellow Brad Cox trainee Bishops Bay, the Grade 2 Cigar Mile winner, who has gotten an invite to the $20 million Saudi Cup, the same day.
The Saudi Derby is run as a one-turn mile, the same configuration of the Nashua and Jerome.
After My World won the Jerome – his third consecutive win at Aqueduct – Cox indicated that My World would try to stretch out around two turns and 1 1/8 miles in the Withers Stakes here on Jan. 31. But upon further discussions with the owners, plans changed.
“Going back and forth with some options, it was like you could run back in the Withers or wait for the Gotham or the Virginia Derby or some other options as well,” Cox said. “I feel like the race that makes the most sense is the Saudi Derby. It’s a one-turn mile.”
Last weekend, My World shipped from Belmont Park to Payson Park in South Florida to continue his preparations for the Saudi Derby.
Meanwhile, Bishops Bay has been at Payson since shortly after his neck victory over Mika in the Cigar Mile. Bishops Bay has worked twice at Payson and will likely have two more works there before shipping to Saudi Arabia.
“He’s breezing really well. I sure like how he’s getting through this track at Payson,” Cox said.
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