On the Turf, the Hope is to See the Best Version of Intense for Me

The 2024 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) winner is set to compete this Friday in the Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup (L), a vital qualifier for the Neom Turf Cup (G1) scheduled for mid-February during the Saudi Cup weekend

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario).—Will the fourth time be the charm for Intense for Me at King Abdulaziz? The answer lies with the Argentine horse himself, who this Friday will compete in the Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup (L) over 2100 meters, a race offering direct qualification for the Neom Turf Cup (G1).

The difference for the son of Fortify is that he will compete on turf for the first time since arriving here. Following his victory in the 2024 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1), he endured three unsuccessful attempts on the dirt, including his participation in last year’s Saudi Cup (G1), where he finished in last place.

Conditioned by Abdulaziz Meshref for Muhaideb Abdullah A Almuhaideb, and with Khaled Almimoni confirmed to ride, the chestnut will break from post 11 and face 13 rivals, as the scratch of My Frankel (Frankel) has already been announced.

Intense for Me arrived in Riyadh with a 117 rating, but today, after his previous three efforts, it has dropped to 106. Of course, it is fair to remember that in Argentina, he was unable to even break his maiden on the dirt.

Can things change? The feeling is that they should, as his affinity for the grass is evident; however, it remains to be seen how much those previous taxing experiences on the dirt have cost him physically.

Among his rivals is the Irish-bred Bolide Porto (Le Havre), winner of this same race 12 months ago. Defending the colors of King Abdullah’s White Stable, he will have Colombian jockey Camilo Ospina in the irons. In his two starts this season, he finished third—first behind Wadaatak Allah (Hard Spun) and Dance Desire (Sea the Stars), and later behind Candyman Stan (Study of Man) and Monsier Jumbo (Caravaggio)—both in allowance company.

Those last two will also be in the starting gates today, looking to repeat their success and punch their ticket to the Saudi Cup meeting.

Another name to respect is Kortez Bay (New Bay), another runner for the King who has underperformed in two local starts following an unremarkable campaign in Great Britain.

The race is scheduled as the fourth event on the card and features a purse of SAR 1,000,000, equivalent to over US$ 266,000.