Class-Dropping Saudi Crown Imposing in Oaklawn Mile

A class drop and an opportunity to race a shorter distance suggest FMQ Stables' Saudi Crown  will be a force in the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G3) March 29 at Oaklawn Park.

The $3.2 million earner and grade 1 winner competed against some of the country's best runners when fifth in the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park. In front for more than six furlongs, the speedster fell back to second with a furlong remaining and weakened late to check in fifth, beaten 8 3/4 lengths by White Abarrio .

Reflective of the quality of the Pegasus World Cup, runner-up Locked  subsequently romped in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and third-place Skippylongstocking  three-peated in the Challenger Stakes (G3). 

A gray and/or roan horse who has often alternated off-the-board efforts with winning performances, Saudi Crown shows past performances that, if repeated, point to a top-level effort Saturday. Before his race in the Pegasus World Cup, the son of Always Dreaming won the Tenacious Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in fast time.

Florent Geroux rides the Brad Cox-trained Saudi Crown, a four-time stakes winner whose top victory came two years ago as a 3-year-old in the 2023 Pennsylvania Derby (G1). Saudi Crown is favored at 7-5 odds on the morning line.

Other contenders among his seven rivals include recent Fifth Season Stakes winner The Wine Steward  and last-out Razorback Handicap (G3) runner-up Banishing .