RIYADH: Hall Of Fame trainer Bob Baffert returns to King Abdulaziz Racecourse next week on a mission to secure a first win in the group one $20 million Saudi Cup, a race he is determined to add to his huge portfolio of major international successes.
The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos (US) will join group one Goodwood Stakes winner Nevada Beach (US) in the feature race on Feb. 14, and Baffert is relishing the challenge of taking on last year’s winner Forever Young (JPN).
“I thought I could win it before but the thing about The Saudi Cup, every time I watch it you think you are home free but all of a sudden they show the 100-meter mark and boy, I lost so much money after that 100-meter mark,” Baffert said.
“That 100-meter mark is a killer for me. We are always ahead at the 100 meters and then I just think uh-oh, this is not good, we’ve still got 100 meters to go. We’ve come agonizingly close.”
Baffert’s three runners on the night include Imagination (US) in the group two Riyadh Dirt Sprint Presented by Saudi National Bank, and all have arrived in Riyadh and pleased Baffert’s longtime wingman, Jimmy Barnes.
