Baffert’s Confidence, Luxor Café, and a Confirmed Field of 14

The Saudi Cup revealed its final list of contenders this Tuesday; the American trainer is already in Riyadh, and the Japanese challenger seeks an upset with Brazilian Joao Moreira in the irons

Should he perform well in the Saudi Cup, Nevada Beach will be pointed toward the Dubai World Cup / JCSA

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (From a special correspondent).— With the majestic King Abdulaziz Racecourse as the epicenter of world racing, the countdown for the Saudi Cup (G1-1800m, dirt, US$20,000,000) has entered its critical phase. This Tuesday, the morning training session welcomed, for the first time, one of the most emblematic figures in American and global turf: Bob Baffert.

The Hall of Fame trainer arrived on Saudi soil to personally oversee the final adjustments for his two strong hands in the world’s richest race. The first to hit the track during the 7:00 a.m. session was Nysos. The son of Nyquist, who boasts only one defeat on his record and is coming off a victory in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), appeared highly professional in his actions under regular exercise rider Beto Gómez. With a gallop that gradually gained intensity around the turn before finishing comfortably down the stretch, Nysos confirmed that his adaptation to the local surface is absolute.

A few minutes later, Gómez switched mounts to work Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach), the Goodwood Stakes (G1) winner who recently finished second by just a head to his stablemate in the Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita in late December. Baffert expressed satisfaction with the performance of both: "I’m very happy with how they looked on the track. It was just a leg-stretcher, looking forward to Saturday. If Nevada Beach runs well here, his next destination will be the Dubai World Cup (G1)," the California-based trainer remarked.

From the Asian camp, expectations are equally high. While Forever Young (Real Steel) is undoubtedly the country's leading hope, there is significant anticipation surrounding Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah), an individual well-acquainted with long-distance travel who appeared imperturbable in his return to the desert. The Noriyuki Hori trainee is a full-brother to Cafe Pharoah—the two-time winner of the February Stakes (G1) in Tokyo—and those American Pharoah genetics seem to thrive on the Saudi dirt.

This Tuesday, Luxor Cafe—who will be ridden by Brazilian star Joao Moreira—completed a steady piece of work just behind stablemate Struve (King Kamehameha) (entered in the Red Sea Turf). Despite a quiet run in last year’s Kentucky Derby (G1), where a poor start compromised his chances, he bounced back by winning the Musashino Stakes (G3) in Tokyo.

"He adapts very easily; he already proved that in the United States. Today's work was designed to avoid any residual fatigue, as the bulk of his training was done in Japan," explained assistant Naoto Suzuki. Additionally, Suzuki highlighted a key detail: "We practiced in the gate with a pony, anticipating the race-day environment. He is very much like his brother Cafe Pharoah, and we believe this scenario fits him perfectly."

The Chosen 14

Anticipation reached its peak with the confirmation of the final field of 14 participants. The roster is a true "who’s who" of international racing, led by defending champion and current Japanese Horse of the Year, Forever Young, who will attempt the historic feat of defending his crown following his recent success in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

Alongside the aforementioned Nysos, Nevada Beach, and Luxor Cafe, the list is rounded out by high-caliber names such as Kenny McPeek’s consistent Rattle N Roll (Connect) and the local standout Star Of Wonder (Uncle Mo), who arrives unbeaten in Riyadh after taking the King Faisal Cup. Also set to compete are runners such as Mhally (Sergei Prokofiev), Sunrise Zipangu (Kizuna), Banishing (Ghostzapper), Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo), Haqeet (Arrogate), Thundersquall (Dubawi), and Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance).

With the engines now revving, all eyes turn to the post-position draw to be held this Wednesday. In an 1,800-meter race where the first turn comes up quickly, the starting position could be the factor that defines the destiny of the 20 million dollars at stake. The stage is set; the desert awaits its champions.