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| Staff Writer |
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After Forever Young's thrilling victory over Book'em Danno in last year's renewal, a field of ten 3YOs are lining up for tomorrow's Gr.3 Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, with international raiders dominating the US$1.5 million contest.
Cyclone State, trained by Chad Summers, represents American interests as the sole US challenger. The Iowa-bred McKinzie colt has found his stride after a slow start to his career, notching three consecutive victories including an impressive front-running display in the Jerome Stakes.
"The beautiful thing about this is that it allows you to become a handicapper," Summers reflected after the Jerome success. "Having a nice 3YO is great. It gets you excited when you get out of the bed in the morning, and I am thankful to the owners for giving a small stable like ours a chance with a horse like this."
Last year's winning trainer Yoshito Yahagi returns with high hopes for Mistress, a daughter of Kizuna. The filly, who finished second in the Group Three Artemis Stakes, recently tried dirt for the first time at Funabashi Racecourse, finishing fourth in the Bluebird Cup.
"All the three horses had nice gallops for the final preparation before they left for Riyadh and I am very satisfied with how healthy they are at the moment," Yahagi said, referring to his trio of runners across the card.
Fellow Japanese challenger Myriad Love, by New Year's Day, brings strong dirt form, having won both starts on the surface at National Association tracks.
Golden Vekoma represents Dubai interests for trainer Ahmad bin Harmash, entering off victory in the Gr.3 UAE Two Thousand Guineas at Meydan. Irish interests lie with Joseph Patrick O'Brien's Apples And Bananas, a Wootton Bassett colt who placed third in the Group One Criterium International at Saint-Cloud.
Local hopes rest with Mhalhal, trained by Thamer Aldaihani. The Daredevil colt showed improved form recently, prompting Aldaihani to declare: "This horse can do like Forever Young. He will win here, he will run in Dubai and I hope will go to America. He's a good horse."
The Saudi Derby serves as a stepping stone to the Gr.2 UAE Derby in Dubai, offering a path to possible Kentucky Derby participation for connections harbouring Classic aspirations.
The race forms part of a stellar card culminating in the US$20 million Gr.1 Saudi Cup, highlighting the growing international significance of the Saudi racing calendar.