In the days leading up to Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, usracing.com is posting profiles of the leading contenders.
The lone U.S.-based entrant, Rattle N Roll, is not even trainer Kenny McPeek’s best horse in the stable. That would be Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna and his Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan.
Nonetheless, McPeek loves these kinds of scenarios, coming into a big race with a somewhat under-the-radar horse who hasn’t gotten a whole lot of attention -- in Rattle N Roll’s case, not since the first part of his 4-year-old season back in 2023 when he posted back-to-back-to back victories in the Ben Ali, Pimlico Special and Blame, all Grade 3s.
Closing like a whirlwind to finish a half-length back in second to favorite West Will Power in his next start, the Stephen Foster (G1), Rattle N Roll tailed off, finishing sixth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga and fourth in the Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill to round out the year.
It was to be his last race for nearly a year. He had been discovered to be suffering from distal bone bruising, which had sidelined him for most of 2024.
“We weren’t sure when he’d make it back, if at all,” said McPeek. “Luckily, the Makins (owners) are very patient and never pushed as to when he’d return.”
The horse began training last July and returned to action in familiar territory – the Lukas Classic on Sept. 28, where he came from behind to finish third, a neck ahead of favored Disarmed. McPeek brought him to Del Mar, hoping to get into the Classic, but he did not draw in.
Instead, he pointed Rattle N Roll to the Stephen Foster (G2) on Nov. 29, in which he closed fiercely to win by three-quarters of a length, and then shipped him to Saudi Arabia, where he again came from behind under Joel Rosario and drew off to win by 4 ¾ lengths and win an automatic berth in the Saudi Cup.
“In his last two races, he’s come back ripping and roaring,” said McPeek. “If he would win the Saudi Cup, that’d be huge. We are excited about it.”
Betting Advice: He came off a year-long layoff to finish third in his comeback race, then racked up two impressive victories. Don’t leave him out of your wagering plans.
Post position: 7
Odds: 10-1
Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Owners: Sharaf Al Hariri (lessee), Lucky Seven Stables
Age: 6
Career record: 24-10-2-3
Career earnings: $2,341,641
Most recent race: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3), King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Jan. 25 (1st)
Top Equibase speed figure: 115
Pedigree: Connect-Jazz Tune, by Johannesburg
Color: Chestnut
Running style: Closer
Notes: Rattle N Roll will race in the colors of Sharaf Al Hariri, who you may remember leased Senor Buscador last year for a Middle Eastern campaign, winning the Saudi Cup and finishing third in the Dubai World Cup (G1). Unlike last year, however, Al Hariri purchased an interest in Rattle n Roll and will remain part owner when the horse returns to the United States … Rattle N Roll arrived in Saudi Arabia in mid-January to prep for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, a local qualifier for the Saudi Cup, which received Group 3 status just this year … As a weanling, Rattle N Roll fetched just $55,000 at the 2019 mixed sale at Keeneland. McPeek bought him for $210,000 a year later at the September Yearling Sale … All but six of the horse’s 24 starts have been in graded stakes.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
