2020 Saudi Cup Preview

One of the most controversial races in quite some time is set to run in a couple of weeks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the newly crowned world’s richest race is finally set to unfold for its first iteration. 

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There has been a lot of talk about Saudi Arabia attempting to “sportswash” its image with this new race but that hasn’t stopped a slew of American trainers from pointing their horses at the big money dirt race happening in the desert. 

It comes just a month or so before the Dubai World Cup - which had been the most important race in the middle east for quite some time - and has already had a significant effect on the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream. 

In keeping with the controversy that has been swirling around the race, it seems appropriate that Maximum Security - the controversially disqualified Kentucky Derby “winner” of 2019 is coming into the race as the outright favourite for the win according to the bookmakers. 

Right now, punters will find Maximum Security available around a 7/4 margin in the ante post markets. He faces some stiff competition from the likes of Bob Baffet’s McKinzie who can be backed around a 9/4 margin but there will be some with question marks over his ability to actually get the job done and secure the win at that distance. 

Many have commented for years that McKinzie is more of a middle distance horse than a genuine classic distance contender. Midnight Bisou is in the mix here with a 4/1 price tag being floated by the bookmakers while Spun to Run trades at an 8/1 price tag.