He’s the world's best dirt horse, the leading money earner ($19,358,590) in thoroughbred history, and 2-for-2 over the track. Forever Young will be odds-on to repeat in the world’s richest race, the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), Saturday at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
Even though he’s running a superstar, trainer Yoshito Yahagi admits he’s nervous.
“Honestly, I feel a lot of pressure on my shoulders bringing a defending champion,” Yahagi said Wednesday after drawing post 6 in a field of 14. “But Forever Young doesn’t feel any pressure at all.”
Challenging him will be two horses from the barn of Bob Baffert, Nysos and Nevada Beach. Nysos, a six-time stakes winner, is 7-for-8 lifetime and has won four consecutive stakes. He and Nevada Beach ran 1-2 last time out, separated by only a head in the Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2) on Dec. 28 at Santa Anita.
Nysos (post 12) has the better record but never has raced 1 1/8 miles, the Saudi Cup distance. Nevada Beach (post 7) won Santa Anita’s 1 1/8-mile Goodwood Stakes (G1) and has room to improve. Still, on paper Nysos looks more likely to get Baffert off his 0-for-5 schneid in a race in which he’s been second three times, third and fourth.
“I think Nysos is a really good horse and has always shown brilliance,” Baffert said. “He’s a trier and he knows where the wire is.”
Japan-based Luxor Café may be the most intriguing longshot. The four-time stakes winner created buzz before last year’s Kentucky Derby (G1). The son of Baffert’s 2015 Triple Crown hero, American Pharoah, went off at odds of 8.24-1, only slightly higher than winner Sovereignty (7.98-1), but finished 12th after a bad start.
Post time: 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday
For those who like to bet on horse racing, here’s a horse-by-horse analysis of the field from the rail out – with saddlecloth number, jockey, trainer, and latest Saudi Cup odds.
Maekawa, a former assistant to Yoshito Yahagi, is the first woman to train a Saudi Cup runner. This 5-year-old finished third and second to Forever Young, but those races were in 2024 and 2023. He’s 5-for-20 lifetime and lost eight of his last nine starts. You can check our Sunrise Zipangu contender profile.
Betting verdict: Toss
This 5-year-old son of Arrogate has plenty of stamina, with a victory at 10 furlongs and a runner-up finish at 1½ miles in Riyadh. Won a listed event two races back and was seventh last out against Thundersquall. Never faced such a strong field; doesn’t belong at this level. You can check our Haqeet contender profile.
Betting verdict: Toss
Late-blooming 6-year-old gelding has seven wins since being bought for $80,000 in July 2024. Negatives: Lost eight of his last 10, 1-for-6 going 1 1/8 miles. Strong finisher but in over his head. You can check our Banishing contender profile.
Betting verdict: Toss
Talented 4-year-old filly has won six of eight career races and ran a strong second behind Mhally in the King’s Cup. Takes on a much better group of males here and doesn’t fit. You can check our Ameerat Alzamaan contender profile.
Betting verdict: Toss
Won twice over the Saudi Cup track after coming to Middle East following third-place finish in weak Pimlico Special (G3) on Preakness day. Shouldn’t be in the same starting gate with Forever Young and Nysos. You can check our Star of Wonder contender profile.
Betting verdict: Toss
This all-time great never finished worse than third in 13 starts. His “disappointments” were third-place finishes in the Kentucky Derby, Breeders’ Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup. As intimidating a favorite as you’ll ever find, and don’t expect to get 2-1. Win price will be puny, so play him over Nysos and Nevada Beach in $10 exactas and under them in smaller plays just in case. You can check our Forever Young contender profile.
Betting verdict: The pick
Not getting as much attention as Nysos but always be wary of “the other Baffert.” Almost beat his stablemate last time and has fine distance breeding, which he showed in his Goodwood win. You can check our Nevada Beach contender profile.
Betting verdict: Use underneath
Dependable Louisiana-bred gelding is a powerful closer at shorter distances. Multiple Grade 3 winner is 0-for-3 in Grade 1s and would be better suited to going a mile against a lesser field. You can check our Tumbarumba contender profile.
Betting verdict: Toss
Outstanding miler has been on a 5-for-6 roll since May, including wins in the Cigar Mile (G2) and three Grade 3 stakes. Stalker is 9-for-13 with three seconds and has won twice at 1 1/16 miles around two turns. You can check our Bishops Bay contender profile.
Betting verdict: Use underneath
American horseplayers will remember him from the Derby, where he drew an inordinate amount of action but fell short. Could slip into the superfecta with a trouble-free trip. You can check our Luxor Cafe contender profile.
Betting verdict: Use underneath
Deep closer will be far back early and will need a hot pace to pass tired horses late. Won’t win but could inflate the trifecta or super. You can check our Rattle N Roll contender profile.
Betting verdict: Use underneath
He’s a head short of being 8-for-8, an amazing record even for a Baffert colt. He’s the obvious first alternative if you’re ambitious enough to oppose Forever Young. A caveat: Superstar trainer-jockey combination may make win odds lower than they should be. You can check our Nysos contender profile.
Betting verdict: Win contender
This 4-year-old gelding qualified for the Saudi Cup by winning a Grade 3 over the course and distance on Jan. 17. This group will be much tougher. You can check our Mhally contender profile.
Betting verdict: Toss
Drew in after two-time Grade 2 winner Magnitude was scratched. Winning a 10-furlong listed stakes at King Abdulaziz on Jan. 30 won’t qualify him for this quantum leap in class. You can check our Thundersquall contender profile.
Betting verdict: Toss
The picks: 1 Forever Young 2 Nysos 3 Bishops Bay
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.
