Someone who is familiar with the horse racing world can’t deny the significance the Breeder’s Cup holds. Marking its presence back in 1982, the equestrian community awaits the Thoroughbred season all year. With its first inception in 1984, Breeder’s Cup has grown to be the biggest Worldwide horse racing contest; welcoming thoroughbreds from all across the world racing to claim the blazing title. 

This year’s prestigious Grade 1 stakes is scheduled for its launch later this year. Equines have been contesting year round to earn their place at the World Championships. And joining the community, Brad Cox trained equine remains to debate its participation even after bagging its biggest title yet just last week.

Equestrian Cox is in a dilemma over equine’s next course

The Brad Cox-trained colt emerged victorious in its first-ever Grade 1 stakes hosted Saturday. The Saudi Crown raced down the Parx Racing dominating the entire 1 1/8 mile dirt track. However, finishing with a win hasn’t guaranteed the equine’s next set list by its connections. While the Pennsylvania Derby acted as prep ground for Saudi Crown, trainer Brad Cox remains in a dilemma over sending the equine to one of the upcoming races; Saudi Cup or Breeder’s Cup.

The Breeder’s Cup is scheduled for November 3rd and 4th this year at the Santa Anita. The event will host two courses. The $6-million Breeders’ Cup Classic and the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile; both Grade 1. While the Saudi Cup will be opening its gates in February next year with a purse of $20 Million.

The trainer and the equine’s connections all have eyes on both the races. The owners, besides deciding between Breeder’s Cup and the Saudi Cup, will also have to decide upon which of the Breeder Cup’s contests it will be. Talking to Daily Racing Form, Cox said, “I would like to find out who’s running where and see how big the fields are going to be, pace projections, and stuff like that would go into what I think.” Cox’s decision to have the Saudi Crown trying for two of the biggest racing doesn’t come as a surprise. The equine holding his previous performance has rightly born the decision over its connection’ heads.

Saudi Crown’s previous triumphs

On Saturday, at the Pennsylvania Derby, it was Saudi Crown’s track. From the opening of the gates to the finish line, Saudi had an obvious upper hand over the contest. Finishing half a length over Dreamlike, Saudi Crown clocked in at 1:50.62 earning, $546,000 winner’s share. The quine starting his career in 2023, has secured 3 wins and 2 seconds with 5 of his starts. Adding to his list of impressive stats, Saudi won at Keeneland and next at the Churchill Downs. The equine with all his triumphs is currently entitled to career earnings of $817,085.

Saudi Crown is owned by the FMQ Stables, a Saudi Arabian-based group putting Saudi Cup racing on priority. However, it isn’t one or nothing for the equine. According to Cox, the team might even aim for both the tracks, confident about the equine. “We’ll do our homework, see who’s going where, and if it makes sense for the horse,” Cox said.

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Brad Cox previously has had experience at both the stakes. While Knicks Go raced the Breeder’s Cup to win the stakes, Mandaloun at the Saudi wasn’t exactly a success. Following his experience, Brad remains sceptical of the latter. “I know how to get there, I don’t know how to perform well there yet,” the trainer said. However, even if the Saudi Cup is at play, Cox said the Breeder’s Cup could still be a possibility. And with the Saudi Crown’s history, neither seems too far.

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