The $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) is Saturday, Feb. 14, at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and US Racing is publishing profiles of all the contenders.
He’s a Grade 1 winner trained by Bob Baffert and was first or second in six of seven career races. Sounds great, but there’s a problem: The only time Nevada Beach faced Forever Young, he finished seventh, beaten by 11¾ lengths, in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
On the plus side, in his most recent race, Nevada Beach ran a close second to his stablemate Nysos, who shapes up as second best to hot favorite Forever Young in the Saudi Cup (G1).
And unlike Nysos, who’s never tried 1 1/8 miles, Nevada Beach won at the Saudi Cup distance in the Goodwood Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita. That day, he upset 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Full Serrano, who ran third in the recent Pegasus World Cup (G1).
Nevada Beach must improve to challenge the top two, but he’s lightly raced and may have more to give. Baffert runners with that profile have won many big races.
“He’s a big, long-striding horse that gets over the ground well,” Baffert said. “He wants to go a mile and a quarter; the track there can be demanding, and he reminds me a little bit of Country Grammer, who ran well there.”
Country Grammer ran second in the 2022 Saudi Cup before pulling an upset in the 2022 Dubai World Cup (G1), then finished second again in the 2023 Saudi Cup. His career earnings exceeded $14.9 million, a record for Baffert and eighth all-time behind Forever Young. Could Nevada Beach imitate Country Grammer? Very unlikely, but with Baffert, nothing is impossible.
Nevada Beach will offer generous odds, so win and place bets are worth a shot. Belongs in any exotic bets.
Notes: Nevada Beach worked 6 furlongs handily in 1:14.20 at Santa Anita on Feb. 1 … His co-owners, who call themselves The Three Amigos, are longtime collaborators with Baffert. Mike Pegram owned 1998 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) hero Real Quiet ... Pegram made his fortune by owning numerous McDonald’s franchises.
Ed McNamara is an award-winning racing writer who has covered the sport since 1981 for The Bergen (N.J.) Record, Newsday, ESPN, Thorocap, and USRacing. He is the author of Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown and Racing Around the World, and a contributor to The Most Glorious Crown and The Racetracks of America. He has also written for racing publications in France and Italy.
