RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Maximum Security can take this vindication to the bank this time.

The 2019 champion 3-year-old chased away remaining demons of his Kentucky Derby disqualification by scoring a game victory over an outstanding field in the world’s richest race Saturday night at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in the Middle East.

Maximum Security earned $10 million, the largest winner’s share in history, by capturing the $20 million Saudi Cup over runner-up Midnight Bisou. Victory in the world’s richest race stamps Maximum Security as the world’s best horse on dirt.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The audience was small and the money was big on a warm, comfortable Saturday evening at King Abdulaziz Racetrack, where a crowd estimated at 8,000 or fewer witnessed top-class Thoroughbred racing. International runners dominated the early stakes as American runners fell short. Below is a recap of the major undercard stakes prior to the $1.5 million Saudi Sprint (race 7) and the $20 million Saudi Cup (race 8).

Race 1

Crossfirehurricane remained unbeaten after three starts with a half-length win over stablemate Choice of Mine in Friday’s $82,500 Patton Stakes at Dundalk Racecourse in Ireland, the first race of the year in the European qualifying series for the Kentucky Derby.

The first two finishers are trained by Joseph O’Brien. Crossfirehurricane, a Kentucky-bred colt by Kitten’s Joy, races for Scott Heider.

$20 million Saudi Cup, 1 1/8 miles, King Abdulaziz Racetrack

1 - Maximum Security
2 - McKinzie
3 - Tacitus
4 - Midnight Bisou

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Unless traditional handicapping principles are turned upside down in the Lasix-free, Bute-free Middle East, the $20 million Saudi Cup should reward the most important quality of an American dirt horse – speed.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Mike Smith made a grand return to the Middle East and a bold statement about racing surfaces Friday night in Saudi Arabia.

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A day before his scheduled ride on Midnight Bisou in the $20 million Saudi Cup, Smith won with two of four mounts to capture a jockey competition and offered praise of the King Abdulaziz Racetrack surface that will resonate at his home track.

Crossfirehurricane, an undefeated Kentucky-bred colt by Kitten’s Joy, may start favored in Friday’s $82,500 Patton Stakes at a mile on the synthetic track at Dundalk Racecourse in Ireland, the first race of the year in the European qualifying series for the Kentucky Derby.

Glorious Spectrum was winless in four starts in the 2018-19 Hong Kong season with valid excuses – he never had a clean trip.

Glorious Spectrum was hampered, crowded a few times and forced to check in the stretch on one occasion. Despite all that, he finished second in his final two starts.

In December, Glorious Spectrum was transferred from trainer Frankie Lor to Ricky Yui. Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse, Glorious Spectrum will start for the first time since July in the $269,438 Cheung Shan Handicap at seven furlongs on turf.

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, March 1, 2020)

Betting on the two cards held in Saudi Arabia on Friday and Saturday will be widely available through account-wagering operations and many brick-and-mortar sites in the U.S., along with countries in Europe, Scandinavia, and Africa, according to the host of the pool.

Takeout for win, place, and show bets will be 20 percent, according to the officials, while all other wagers – including exacta, trifecta, superfecta, and linked bets like the pick 3, pick 4, and pick 6 – will be 27 percent. Bets from all countries participating in the pool will be commingled.

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.

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