Saudi Crown Dominates Louisiana Stakes in Saudi Tune-Up
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Photo: Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
Saudi Crown leaves his competition behind while winning the Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Saudi Crown performed a tour de force in the $169,750 Louisiana Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Jan. 20 in his tune-up for the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 24.
Florent Geroux pushed the 4-year-old son of Always Dreaming to his preferred spot up front. Dropping to the rail to establish the lead from grade 3 winner Five Star General going into the first turn, Geroux convinced Marcelino Pedroza Jr. to ease Five Star General two lengths back after a quarter-mile. From there Saudi Crown treated the Fair Grounds oval as his personal playground.
After being left alone to run splits of :24.14, :47.93, and 1:12.10, Saudi Crown was let loose by Geroux entering the stretch. Five Star General could not reengage and instead fell victim to the closing moves of Red Route One and defending Louisiana Stakes winner Happy American . By the time they got to Five Star General, Saudi Crown had disappeared.
Motionless in the saddle as soon as he reached the sixteenth pole, Geroux let Saudi Crown glide home to a 5 3/4-length victory over Red Route One in 1:43.20, giving Geroux his fifth victory on the card.
The 3-5 favorite barely broke a sweat and returned to the winner's circle to the joy of the Saudi Arabian-based FMQ Stables, who now hope to see their Brad Cox trainee take a shot at their country's, and the world's, biggest prize.
"Exactly what we wanted and what we needed to go to Riyadh next month," Geroux said in the winner's circle. "Hopefully the horse comes back in good order and we can move forward and try to represent America nicely."