Juddmonte's Mandaloun on Course for Saudi Cup

As much as a trio of 3-year-olds will play leading roles Nov. 6 in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar, another leading member of a deep and talented crop is quietly moving closer to a return to the races and a date in 2022's richest race.

While Essential Quality  , Hot Rod Charlie , and Medina Spirit  are the second through fourth choices in the Classic, Juddmonte's Mandaloun , the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), is expected to return to trainer Brad Cox's Kentucky barn shortly after the World Championships to point toward the Feb. 26 $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

"He's doing great and he looks fantastic. We gave him two months off doing practically nothing. The last three or four weeks we've been riding him on the farm and as soon as Brad gets back from the Breeders' Cup, (Mandaloun) will go up to Churchill Downs with the goal of getting a prep race in January and going to the Saudi Cup," said Garrett O'Rourke, general manager of Juddmonte Farms' United States division. "That was the plan when we hit a bump in the road that turned out to be nothing at all, and it made all the sense in the world. The family (of the late Prince Khalid bin Abdullah) wants to have a crack at the Saudi Cup. It's a very important race for them.

"We're hoping for a really big year from Mandaloun and it will be nice to start it off on a big note in the Saudi Cup," he added.

Though the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) is scheduled for Jan. 29, O'Rourke said that was an unlikely spot for Mandaloun's first race since winning the July 17 TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) through the disqualification of Hot Rod Charlie.

"I'm not saying anything is off the table. There are several options for his first start back," O'Rourke said. "But everyone's clear on what the main goal is. He's a big horse and he should get better as a 4-year-old."

Mandaloun, a grade 1-winning homebred son of Into Mischief   out of the Empire Maker mare Brooch, was taken out of training in early August due to a sore heel.

A winner of five of eight career starts, he has earned $1,651,252, and those figures could soar if the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission ultimately decides to strip Medina Spirit of his Kentucky Derby victory due to a pair of positive drug tests. If that happens, Mandaloun would be declared as the winner of the Run for the Roses.

O'Rourke also said Juddmonte's Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) starter Acanella  will remain in the United States after her American debut at the World Championships and will move into Cox's barn.