Saudi Crown Still Targeting Breeders' Cup After Scratch

Despite scratching from the Ack Ack Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs Sept. 28 with a foot injury, trainer Brad Cox is hopeful that grade 1 winner Saudi Crown  will still be able to make a start in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 2.

"He's had it before, so it's not anything that hasn't been there in the past," the trainer said of the foot issue Sept. 28. "It's not really a concern, it was just the timing."

The poor timing cost the 4-year-old son of Always Dreaming   an opportunity to earn an automatic spot in the Dirt Mile through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. The colt was the 4-5 morning line favorite for the race ultimately won by Three Technique .

"The Breeders' Cup (Dirt) Mile is definitely still in play, as long as he can get in," Cox said. "If he's doing well, we'll give him an opportunity."

The decision on whether or not he runs will fall in the hands of the Breeders' Cup Selection Committee should the field be oversubscribed. The selection system ranks horses in order of preference based on wins in Breeders' Cup Challenge races, a point system, and the judgment of a panel of racing experts.

Saudi Crown started the season with a victory in the Jan. 20 Louisiana Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Traveling to the Middle East, he ran third in the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse and 12th in the March 30 Godolphin Mile (G2) at Meydan in Dubai.

Given time to recover from his travel, he returned at Ellis Park Aug. 11 with a front-running 1 3/4-length score in the one-mile R.A. "Cowboy" Jones Stakes. In that win, he earned a 112 Equibase Speed Figure, the second highest of his career behind the 114 he earned winning the 2023 Pennsylvania Derby (G1).

Bred in Kentucky by CHC and racing for FMQ Stables, Saudi Crown has pocketed $2,193,900 in earnings this season.

Those credentials will be what the selection panel of racing directors and secretaries considers as Cox will not look for another prep.

"I don't think I'd have time," Cox said of a final prep race. "We're going to miss a few days (of training) and we're going to try and have him fresh and ready to go."

Hurricane Helene Delays Training Plans at Churchill Downs

Saudi Crown wasn't the only horse at Churchill Downs to have his training derailed this week as the remnants of Hurricane Helene fell on Louisville, Ky. for nearly 48 hours straight.

Churchill Downs is home to nearly 1,400 horses, but only 18 recorded official timed workouts on the very sloppy track Sept. 27-29. Meanwhile, 144 horses got their timed workouts in on a fast track ahead of the storm Sept. 26.

The timing of the storm was not ideal as many of the top horses at Churchill Downs are preparing for their final Breeders' Cup preps at Keeneland, which holds eight Challenge Series races Oct. 4-6.

"Overall, I don't feel like it's affected us too much yet," Cox said of the hurricane. "Hopefully we don't get much more of this."

Luckily for Cox and all the other trainers on Churchill's backside, the rain came to a halt Saturday night and the sun was out Sunday morning. The dirt track had been upgraded to "good" by the start of racing Sunday afternoon.

Among those who missed workouts on their original planned date were Cox's Idiomatic  and Immersive .

Juddmonte homebred Idiomatic is slated to run Sunday in the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland as a final tune-up for her title defense in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). Immersive, a Godolphin homebred and winner of the Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, is pointed at Friday's Alcibiades (G1), a "Win and You're In" for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

"I wouldn't say I've missed a work because I have a bit more time, but they were slated to work this weekend," Cox said. "We'll get them out here and let them cruise down the lane Monday or Tuesday."

Highland Falls , holder of a spot in the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) thanks to his Sept. 1 victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga, was not impacted by the hurricane.

The 4-year-old Curlin   colt bred and raced by Godolphin returned to the work tab Sept. 20 with an easy half-mile in :49 4/5 at Churchill Downs. Cox said he was already planning to skip a work this week before revving up with four breezes leading into the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup.

"He's doing fantastic," Cox said. "I'm happy with the way he's moving and how he looks."