Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert returns to the Saudi Cup in Riyadh with two horses, Nysos and Nevada Beach, aiming to finally secure his first win in the world’s richest thoroughbred race after five unsuccessful attempts. The 1 1/8-mile race features defending champion Forever Young, a Japan-bred superstar and two-time Saudi Cup winner, who is the 2-1 favorite in a competitive 14-horse field. Forever Young’s trainer, Yoshito Yahagi, is feeling the pressure to repeat, while Baffert hopes his outside post positions will give his horses a clear run to challenge the dominant favorite.
The $20 million Saudi Cup offers massive prize money, with $10 million to the winner and payouts extending to the top 10 finishers. Besides the Japanese and American contenders, the race includes other international entries, but Forever Young’s impressive record and suitability to the track make him the horse to beat. Betting is illegal in Saudi Arabia, though international bettors can wager online. The race promises a thrilling showdown among some of the world’s best dirt horses, with Baffert still chasing his elusive first Saudi Cup victory.
