By Emma Berry
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia–Amr Zedan has a runner in the world's richest race staged Saturday in his home country of Saudi Arabia. The Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer (Tonalist), whom he part-owns with WinStar Farm and Commonwealth Thoroughbreds, was not however the horse he had hoped to be running.
Zedan's original intention was for Medina Spirit (Protonico) to be lining up in the country from which his name is derived, but the horse who finished first past the post in the last year's Kentucky Derby collapsed and died in December. On Monday he was finally disqualified from the Derby following his post-race positive test for betamethasone, and Mandaloun, who is another in Riyadh for the $20 million Saudi Cup, was officially promoted to winner.
“I have always wanted to take part in the Saudi Cup meet and unfortunately Medina [Spirit] was pointed here but passed away on Dec. 6 with a heart attack,” Zedan said in a press conference at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Friday morning.
“I just could not miss out this year so Bob and I worked backwards and tried to find the best horse that was suited to the Saudi Cup and that was Country Grammer.”
The emotion wrought from Monday's decision by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission was clear in Zedan's voice when he spoke briefly at Wednesday's post-position draw after selecting gate one for Country Grammer. He expanded on his feelings since first receiving news from Baffert of Medina Spirit's positive test last May.
“I was up on the highest mountain and I was thrown off a cliff,” said Zedan, a board member of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.
“Medina is a horse that I will forever cherish. I don't mean to sound sentimental but I get emotional every time I watch the race–I had to stop watching the race. We came into the [Derby] not expecting a whole lot, we were 12-1. I still have a text message from Bob saying 'there's speed down the outside, we have a chance.' And we won.”
With that result having now been officially overturned and Baffert facing a 90-day suspension, both those decisions are being appealed by Medina Spirit's owner and trainer.
Zedan's loyalty to Baffert is clear. He opened the press conference by declaring him to be “the best trainer in the world in my view” and he added, “I believe in due process and I believe that there is an unjust and uncalled-for witch hunt on Bob Baffert.
“Where we are right now is that we are going through the full due process. We have filed for a stay, we have filed for an appeal in front of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, and I have the highest respect for all and I understand, and I believe that once our case is objectively considered we will prevail.”
Mandaloun, currently second-favorite behind last year's winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) to lift the Saudi Cup, also has close ties to Saudi having been bred by the late Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms.
“I have much respect for Mandaloun and much respect for his owners,” Zedan said. “They have been the classiest and they have written the book as to how to conduct, and how to build a premium world-class equine and racing operation.”
He continued, “They have been nothing but supportive. They understand that there is a process, and they have clearly said that if the Kentucky Derby is awarded to Medina again it's with their brother, and I reciprocate by saying that they are both Saudi and I'll be just as happy if they are officially declared the Kentucky Derby winner.”
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