No rush for Brad Cox. The trainer waited, wavered, and finally declared Saudi Crown all in for the Pegasus World Cup (G1), with the race a probable steppingstone to the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) next month.
Saudi Crown. Hodges Photography/Amanda Hodges Weir
Saudi Crown makes his first start of the year off a win at Fair Grounds last out
That said, can Saudi Crown recapture the Grade 1 mojo that powered him to victory in the 2023 Pennsylvania Derby? Well, the 5-year-old gray son of 2017 Derby winner Always Dreaming has yet to step up in top company since, running a good third in the 2024 Saudi Cup, 12th in the Godolphin Mile (G2), winning a listed stakes at Ellis Park, running 13th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), and recently winning the Tenacious Stakes at the Fair Grounds on Dec. 21.
In the two previous races he’s run at the World Cup distance of 1 1/8 miles, though, Saudi Crown was nosed out by Forte in the 2023 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) before winning the Pennsylvania Derby.
His most recent workout came at Payson Park, 5 furlongs in 1:00.60 on Jan. 19.
2025 Pegasus World Cup Contender Odds and Post Positions
Betting advice: The goal is a solid run to prepare for the Saudi Cup for Saudi-based owner. Well-bred and with Florent Geroux aboard, there’s a reason he’s 9-2. Win contender.
Post position: 2
Odds: 9-2
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owner: Faisal Al Qahtani’s FMQ Stables
Career record: 12-6-2-1
Career earnings: $3,130,985
Last race: Tenacious Stakes, Fair Grounds, Dec. 21, 1st
Top Equibase speed figure: 114
Pedigree: Always Dreaming-New Narration, by Tapit
Age: 5
Color: Gray/roan
Running style: Front-runner
Notes: Brad Cox-trained Knicks Go kicked off his 2021 Horse of the Year season with a victory in the Pegasus World Cup ... Florent Geroux rode 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner to victory in the 2018 World Cup ... Saudi Crown was purchased for $240,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale for 2-year-olds.
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