In the days leading up to the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Feb. 26, usracing.com is publishing profiles of the starters in the world’s richest horse race. Profiles will be updated with odds, post positions and jockeys several days before the race.
By Ed McNamara
2022 Saudi Cup Horse Profile: Emblem Road
King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Jenadriyah. Photo courtesy of Arab News
Mitab Almulawah has entered two horses in the Saudi Cup, Making Miracles and Emblem Road. Both are owned by Prince Saud Bin Salman Abdulaziz, who employs Almulawah as his personal trainer. Together they are 4-for-22 this season with four third-place finishes.
The Prince’s runners are the top-rated horses based in Saudi Arabia, with Making Miracles considered slightly superior to Emblem Road.
Alexis Moreno, a 27-year-old Panamanian, has been riding both of them, and he considers them live longshots. The American-bred Emblem Road has six wins in eight career starts, and Moreno thinks the distance of the Saudi Cup may suit him better.
“Making Miracles has run three times this year and he’s improved a lot,” Moreno said. “I think the distance is a little short for him, but he’s a nice horse and he can do it.
“For Emblem Road, I think (1 1/8 miles) will be better for him than a mile. I think both horses have a nice chance, and I think they’re going to surprise in the Saudi Cup.”
Emblem Road’s sire, Quality Road, was a standout who won the Met Mile, Woodward, Donn Handicap, Florida Derby and the Fountain of Youth. He was retired after finishing 12th in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic. He’s also had an excellent career at stud, siring Kentucky Oaks heroine Abel Tasman, Pegasus World Cup winner City of Light and last year’s undefeated 2-year-old champion, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Corniche.
His dam, Venturini, a daughter of 2006 Preakness winner Bernardini, didn’t make her sire proud. She did nothing on the racetrack, going 0-for-2 and earning $388 for trainer Bill Mott.
Betting advice: Like his stablemate Making Miracles, Emblem Road is listed at 40-1 in BUSR’s odds. Both horses are in the race because Prince Saud Bin Salman Abdulaziz is one of his nation’s most prominent owners, with five Group 1 wins in his career. But there’s no way I can recommend a wager on either of them.
Post position: 10
Odds: 40-1 (BUSR.com odds)
Jockey: Alexis Moreno
Trainer: Mitab Almulawah
Owner: Prince Saud Bin Salman Abdulaziz
Age: 4
Career record: 8-6-1-1
Career earnings: $280,299
Top Equibase speed figure: N/A
Pedigree: Quality Road-Venturini, by Bernardini
Color: Bay
Running style: Stalker
Notes: Prince Saud Bin Salman Abdulaziz has won with 73 of 440 starters in the past five years. He’s been on a roll the past year, posting a 23.4% with 34 victories … Emblem Road is one of many Riyadh-based horses whose name begins with Emblem. Among them are Emblem Time, Emblem Girl, Emblem Eagle and Emblem Star.
Ed McNamara is an award-winning journalist who has been writing about thoroughbred racing for 35 years. He has handicapped races for ESPN.com, Newsday and The Record of New Jersey. He is the author of “Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown” and co-author of “The Most Glorious Crown,” a chronicle of the first 12 Triple Crown champions.