'Next Stop Riyadh': National Treasure to Saudi Cup

Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) winner National Treasure  is pointed to the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 24, according to Tom Ryan, managing partner for the colt's ownership group.

Ryan announced the target with a late Feb. 7 post on X, tweeting, "Next stop Riyadh." National Treasure's connections wanted to monitor his condition and training after the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup before committing to a follow-up race.

The 1 1/8-mile Saudi Cup takes place at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Also pointed to the lucrative race are American-trained horses Saudi Crown , Pegasus World Cup runner-up Senor Buscador , and White Abarrio , plus horses from the Middle East and other parts of the world, including the Japanese-trained international competitor Derma Sotogake . White Abarrio, unraced since winning the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., is the expected race headliner. He defeated Derma Sotogake in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

National Treasure, who captured the Preakness Stakes (G1) last year during a 3-year-old campaign that culminated with a close runner-up finish to 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish   in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), heads overseas in top form for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. The Quality Road   colt has earnings of more than $3.3 million for owners SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Bob Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan.

Ryan could not be reached for comment.