Emblem Road Takes Saudi Cup for Home Team

The $20,000,000 Saudi Cup (G1) trophy stayed home in 2022 to the roar of the Riyadh crowd, as Prince Saud bin Salman Abdulaziz's Emblem Road ran down American contenders Country Grammer  and Midnight Bourbon  in the late stages Feb. 26 to win the world's richest race.

Trained by Mitab Almulawah and ridden by Wigberto Ramos, the Kentucky-bred son of Quality Road   completed the 1,800 meter (1 1/8-mile) affair in a final time of 1:50.52, besting the Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer by a half-length, with Midnight Bourbon another 1 1/2 lengths back in third.

Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) victress Marche Lorraine  ran admirably late to finish sixth in her career swan song, while Americans Mandaloun  and Art Collector  could only manage ninth and 12th. Defending champ Mishriff  faltered badly to finish last of 14.

The 2021 Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City-District One (G2) winner Secret Ambition , as expected, set the early pace under Adrie de Vries, doing well to clear the field from post 12 and clip off his first quarter-mile in :24.80 (no run-up). Tracked closely by Art Collector and Mandaloun to his outside, Country Grammer behind him and Midnight Bourbon adjacent to that rival in the two-path, Secret Ambition put forth a smart half-mile in :47.86 as local hopes Making Miracles and the eventual winner ranged up four- and five-wide.

Entering the turn, Mishriff was already under the whip and Mandaloun began to show warning signs. Full of horse and pouncing on the opportunity, Joel Rosario on Midnight Bourbon and Flavien Prat on Country Grammer split horses, respectively, after six furlongs in 1:12.80 and turned for home with dead aim on a tiring Secret Ambition. It became clear at this point that the American and Saudi pairs were running the best races, with the eventual victor closing the quickest. Country Grammer brushed off Midnight Bourbon with a half-furlong remaining, only to get passed in the yards by a resolute Emblem Road.

Both Ramos and Hisham Abdulwhaed, assistant trainer and stable representative, were more than over the moon. Ramos has proven a force in recent months, in particular, over the King Abdulaziz dirt.

"He wanted to go early, but I took my time with him and took a little hold and saw another horse, so then I just waited for the 500 meters to ask him," Ramos said. "The key on this track is that you have to be near the front when you pass the 800 meter. If you're near, you are in a good position and outside is the best part of the track. It's a big turn, so when you put a horse who comes from behind all the way on the outside, they finish a lot better.

"I knew that I could do it, but now that I've done it, I still don't believe it. I beat so many good horses, and this is the biggest race in the world. I think he could go on to the Dubai World Cup (G1). He's the kind of horse who can do it."

Abdulwhaed added: "He is a great horse. He is a Quality Road, so it doesn't matter the distance—1,600 meters, 1,800 meters, 2,000 meters, or 2,400 meters—he can do it. I can't explain with words this feeling. He trained really well and I thought that he was going better than Making Miracles. Keeping the Saudi Cup here in the Kingdom, that is the best thing and it is a great feeling. Whether it's races like Dubai World Cup or Breeders' Cup—I think he is that kind of horse. He can run in those races with those good horses."

The victory was the seventh from nine career starts for the grandson of 2008 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) winner Ventura. Bred by Brushy Hill, he was sold for $230,000 as yearling at the 2019 Keeneland September Sale to Kinsman from the South Point Sales Agency consignment and went through the ring again as a juvenile at the 2020 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds-in-Training, where he was acquired by bloodstock agent Bruno DeBerdt for $80,000 out of Wavertree's consignment.

In his Jan. 15 start prior to the Saudi Cup, he was an impressive winner of the local King Faisal Cup over one mile. The $10,000,000 first-place prize money increased his career bankroll to $10,204,734.

Bob Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes was very pleased with the effort of the runner-up, while Prat was disappointed to lose, but visibly proud of another gritty effort for Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes (G1) winner Country Grammer. Baffert confirmed via text message that the 5-year-old is under serious consideration for the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) March 26.

"Off that eight-month layoff, we were ready and what a huge effort he put out," Barnes said. "Congratulations to the winner. They ran a great race. Really I thought we had them turning for home. When he put away Midnight Bourbon, I said 'Oh wow, maybe we got a chance here,' but then you could see the horse coming down the outside. A first (with Pinehurst  in the Saudi Derby presented by Al Rajhi Bank, G3) and second today—we did well."

Prat added: "When I pulled away, I thought I was going to win. I thought it was going to be enough and that my horse was doing the hardest, but the winner was just too good and finished harder."

Asmussen was content with the performance of Midnight Bourbon, who placed once again in a top-class race.

"It's just wonderful to be here and to be able to compete on this level," Asmussen said. "Bourbon put in another solid run. For him to carry us this far to Saudi to compete here--what a blessing."

Rosario added: "I thought he ran really well. It was probably a little bit different with him, but he showed heart. He did great."

Florent Geroux was naturally a bit disheartened by the performance of Juddmonte's Mandaloun, whose Saudi-based ownership made him a considerable media focal point this week.

"He just wasn't there today," Geroux said. "We knew the locals were good horses, but we thought the outside horses might be better."

The last-place performance of Mishriff, the defending champion and slight market favorite over Mandaloun, was the biggest surprise of all.

"He didn't jump as sharp as last time, but I did a similar thing and kept him out wide," jockey David Egan said. "He got there with ease, but once I turned into the bend I was struggling from a long way out. I hope he's alright, there's obviously something amiss. He's better than that."