Saudi Crown Seeks Crowning Achievement in BC Classic

Saudi Crown 's racing career may have started too late to be a part of the Triple Crown fray.

The son of Always Dreaming   did not make his first start for trainer Brad Cox until April 16 at Keeneland, when he won by nearly five lengths.

Since then, the gray or roan colt has made up for lost time extremely well, stretching out to two turns for the first time July 29 in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course and losing by a nose to Forte  .

His second try at a 1 1/8-miles distance was much more rewarding as he earned grade 1 honors, leading every step of the way in posting a half-length victory over Classic starter Dreamlike  in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) Sept. 23 at Parx Racing.

Now, FMQ Stables' Saudi Crown is heading into his most formidable test, the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), and Cox is more ecstatic than ever about what he's seeing in the colt as the Nov. 4 race day draws ever closer at Santa Anita Park.

"He's doing unbelievable. He's ready. I love what I see from him. I think he's the horse," Cox said. 

Saudi Crown, bred in Kentucky by China Horse Club, has won three of his five career starts and the two losses were both by a nose, the Jim Dandy and, in the start before that, to Fort Bragg  in the Dwyer Stakes (G3).

Only a few inches here and there stand between him and a perfect, 5-for-5 record.

"He's doing well physically and really training well since the Pennsylvania Derby and I love his works since then. He has every reason to improve. He's a lightly raced 3-year-old who is continuing to develop," Cox said.

With classic winners Mage  and Arcangelo  out of the Classic, morning-line favorite Arabian Knight  and Saudi Crown top the 3-year-olds in the race and they figure to be close to each other at the start, battling for the early lead.

"He can break fast (from post 5 with Florent Geroux) and should come out running. He's inside Arabian Knight so we'll see how it plays out," Cox said.

Both 3-year-olds would also find themselves at the center of the 3-year-old championship debate should they register a victory on Saturday.

"He's had a good year. He would have to win Saturday to be in the conversation but it would mean a lot if he could be in it," Cox said.

Looking ahead a bit, a strong showing Saturday would also position Saudi Crown quite nicely for a race his owner, Saudi Arabia's Faisal Mohammed Alqahtani, would covet, the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) in February.

Saudi Crown, the first American starter for FMQ Stables, was bought for $240,000 from the Top Line Sales consignment following a 10-second workout at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. He has earned $817,085.

The initial grade 1 winner for Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Always Dreaming, he is the second foal and second winner from the Tapit   mare New Narration, who also has a yearling Yoshida   filly and a 2-year-old Exaggerator  colt named Truncator.