Saudi Crown Hopes Ack Ack Brings Breeders' Cup Return

After a forgettable showing at last year's Breeders' Cup, Saudi Crown  hopes to punch his ticket for a return to the world championships in the Sept. 28 Ack Ack Stakes (G3) under the lights at Churchill Downs.

The Brad Cox trainee finished tenth, a distant 12 3/4 lengths back in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) last year at Santa Anita Park. The Ack Ack is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In, with the victor of Saturday's race gaining an automatic and free entry into the Dirt Mile (G1) Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Winner of the 2023 Pennsylvania Derby (G1), Saudi Crown has only raced four times this year, mostly in the early months. By Always Dreaming  , Saudi Crown won the Louisiana Stakes (G3) before heading to King Abdulaziz Racecourse for the Saudi Cup (G1). He faced off against several Breeders' Cup Classic rivals: Senor Buscador , Ushba Tesoro , Derma Sotogake , and Classic winner White Abarrio . 

Despite leading almost the whole way, the gray or roan colt was overtaken in the shadow of the wire and finished third. A month later, he disappointed by running 12th in the Godolphin Mile (G2) at Meydan Racecourse. 

Given a rest following that March 30 race, Saudi Crown returned to the worktab in the United States June 14. Cox pointed his pupil to the R.A. "Cowboy" Jones Stakes at Ellis Park where he led nearly the entire race and won by 1 3/4 lengths. Jockey Florent Geroux knew that was the perfect tune-up for what was to come. 

"This being his first start since competing overseas, it was a good spot to get back before bigger races this fall," Geroux said. 

Added Cox: "Saudi Crown is a very talented horse. We were very pleased with how he came back over the summer at Ellis Park, winning the Cowboy Jones. Obviously, we were disappointed he didn't win when he shipped overseas this winter, but we're happy with the way he responded when we brought him back to Kentucky."

Despite the colt having more than $3 million in career earnings, the one-mile Ack Ack shouldn't be a walkover. 

Wathnan Racing's Cagliostro  stumbled badly out of the gate in the Forego Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course last time out, costing him badly needed ground and finishing a distant fourth. Viewing that race as an outlier of his year, Cagliostro has run well with two firsts and a second for Cherie DeVaux.

Another Wathnan entry is the Louisiana-bred Tumbarumba . The son of Oscar Performance   has hit the board in his last seven starts (2-4-1) and in nine of his last 10. 

Then there is Mufasa , who is making his third start in the U.S. Trained by Ignacio Correas, IV and ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., the 5-year-old son of Practical Joke   was a game sixth in a Churchill Downs allowance. However, he bounced back for a convincing win at Colonial Downs Aug. 12.

Rounding out the field are Big Blue Line , Stage Raider, and Three Technique .