Straight No Chaser, honored last month as North America's champion male sprinter at the Eclipse Awards, now has a chance to prove his mettle in Saudi Arabia.
The Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner is favored over Remake, Gabby's Sister, and nine other foes in the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saudi Cup day, Feb. 22.
The Riyadh Dirt Sprint is among five graded stakes races that support the Saudi Cup (G1); the four others are the Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2T), Neom Turf Cup (G2T), 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T), and Saudi Derby (G3).
Besides MyRacehorse's Straight No Chaser, American hopes are represented by Rattle N Roll in the Saudi Cup, Howard Wolowitz in the 1351 Turf Sprint, and Cyclone State in the Saudi Derby.
Straight No Chaser's form when last in action in the fall is likely to make him a prohibitive favorite in an international pari-mutuel pool. Before winning the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar, when he outdueled Bentornato down the stretch after coming from just off the pace, he romped in the Sept. 29 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) by 6 1/4 lengths.
Trainer Dan Blacker credits Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez for the successful off-the-pace ride in the Breeders' Cup.
"Johnny felt that was the tactic he'd like to use, and the horse responded really well," the trainer told publicity from the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia. "Johnny is a great jockey and timing is part of what makes him so great. He got the horse to switch off and relax behind the pace and then come with a run."
Remake and Gabby's Sister travel to Saudi Arabia from Japan, where both have been top performers.
Remake, last year's Riyadh Dirt Sprint winner, will look to bounce back from a last-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Gabby's Sister is not as battled tested but is in top form.
Howard Wolowitz Should Love 1351 Distance
The distance of the 1351 Turf Sprint should fit perfectly for Howard Wolowitz's first venture overseas. As the race's name suggests, the 1351 Turf Sprint will be contested over 1,351 meters—between 6 1/2 and seven furlongs.
"Six (furlongs) is perfect for him, 6 1/2 better than perfect," D'Angelo told BloodHorse after the colt's win in Turfway Park's Holiday Cheer Stakes Dec. 14. "He's a nice horse with tons of talent."
D'Angelo has been anticipating international travels with the son of Munnings since his grade 1 triumph in the Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1T) at Kentucky Downs in September. After overcoming a troubled trip and non-ideal five-furlong distance to be beaten just three lengths in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), followed by his authoritative win over elders at Turfway, he has now earned himself a shot at a $2 million purse in Saudi Arabia.
Regular jockey Emisael Jaramillo makes the trip to ride from post 8 for owner Al Gold's Gold Square.
His toughest competition in the 13-horse international cast could come from the three Japanese runners. Ten Happy Rose was a strong fourth in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) and is a grade 1 winner over a mile, Win Marvel is a four-time graded winner at sprint distances, and Ascoli Piceno was crowned the country's champion 2-year-old filly of 2023 and is favored with British bookmakers.
