Saudi Officials Hope to Finalize 2020 Purse Payout Soon

Final purse distribution from the 2020 Saudi Cup could come within six weeks, the head of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia said in the hours before this year's running of the world's richest race.

The minor awards from the 2020 Cup have been paid. But the $10 million winner's share was frozen by Saudi officials pending the resolution of doping charges involving Jason Servis, who at the time trained the Luis Saez-ridden winner, Maximum Security . 

Maximum Security raced last year for owners Gary and Mary West and for the Coolmore Stud-affiliated Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor,  and Derrick Smith.

Second across the finish line under Mike Smith in the Saudi Cup was Midnight Bisou, running for owners Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Jockey Club chairman Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, interviewed by broadcaster Nick Luck on the international television feed from the Feb. 20 renewal, said he hopes the wait is nearly over, noting the star-crossed career of Maximum Security, who also was disqualified from apparent victory due to interference in the 2019 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).

Country House  was elevated to first in the Derby.

"I feel we don't have long to wait" for action on the United States legal issues, Prince Bandar said, without elaboration. "I hope that within the next six weeks, we'll put this matter to rest."

The case in U.S. District Court in New York already has taken a myriad of twists and turns involving other defendants. It now could be complicated by new federal legislation that will turn over the regulation of medication to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

Prince Bandar admitted to having "a soft spot for that horse."

"I thought he got a raw deal in the Kentucky Derby," he said. "It was fair, but he was the best horse on the day."