Security Pays Off in the Desert

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Gary and Mary West and Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Maximum Security (New Year's Day) put the final exclamation point on a memorable day of racing at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh Saturday, recording a gritty 3/4-length victory over Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) in the inaugural $20-million Saudi Cup. Last year's champion sophomore was forced to drift in and out down the lane as he attempted to overtake pacesetting Mucho Gusto (Mucho Macho Man) and finally took charge with 100 meters to run before holding off Midnight Bisou's late rally from the rail.

“It was tough,” admitted winning rider Luis Saez. “When we broke from the gate, it was tough. At the three-eighths, for a second I thought we were going to get beat. But he has an amazing heart. He's the toughest horse I've ever ridden.”

Winning trainer Jason Servis said he was confident going into the world's richest race.

“He was really doing good,” Servis said. “I'm a little superstitious. I didn't want to overtalk it. But the last three days, when he breezed a mile in 1:59.73, he really got over the ground good. And when he came off the track, you could see a presence about him. I tried to stay calm, but I was really feeling good the last few days.”

Coolmore purchased a half interest in the colt's racing and breeding rights from Gary and Mary West in January. Asked if this was one of the group's best investments, M.V. Magnier said, “All I can say is we are very lucky people that Gary and Mary West let us into the horse. And it's a credit to the team of gentlemen on my left [Servis and Saez]. The job they've done with this horse is quite incredible.”

Saturday's Saudi Cup card began with a pair of longshot winners from Bahrain. The crowd was still somewhat sparse when Port Lions (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) upset heavily favored Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) in the day's first race, the $1-million Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup. By the time Frankie Dettori and Dark Power (Ire) (Dark Angel) gave Bahrain back-to-back winners on the card with a determined score in the $1-million ST 1351 Turf Sprint a race later, however, the grandstand was nearly full.

Adrie de Vries and Port Lions were the first to ever win a race over the turf in Saudi Arabia and the jockey had nothing but praise for the new course, which was still only a dream last summer.

“The track is beautiful,” he said. “I can't believe in such a short time they were able to make it; it was a dream to ride on.”

Of Bahrain's daily double, Dark Power's trainer Allan Smith said, “I've been in Bahrain for some 25 years now and this is just nice for the country. It's a big lift for racing there. The weather is just beautiful and horses do love to come there.”

The card's first three races, all over the track's brand new turf course, came in rapid succession, culminating with Olivier Peslier's win aboard Call the Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the $2.5-million Longines Turf Cup H. for legendary trainer Freddy Head and last year's Eclipse Award-winning breeder George Strawbridge. Mekong (GB) closed late to give Frankel the exacta in the 3000-meter race.

“It's a great moment,” Head said. “As a trainer you dream of winning races like that. It's history.”

A dusty haze had settled over King Abdulaziz Racetrack and the sun had set by post time for the first of a trio of dirt races Saturday in Riyadh.

Japan's Full Flat (Speightstown) may have earned a chance in the GI Kentucky Derby with his authoritative victory in the $800,000 Samba Saudi Derby, but jockey Yutaka Take might remember the day less for that win than for the loss he suffered in the next race. Matera Sky (Speightstown) was some 10 lengths in front with a furlong to go, only to be run down in the final strides by 'TDN Rising Star' New York Central (Tapit) and Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the $1.5-million Saudia Cup Sprint.

The dramatic finish proved Ortiz has picked up some of the local culture. “Inshallah,” the Puerto Rican native said of the photo finish. “Winning on a night like this means a lot,” he added. “I enjoyed it, riding for Prince Faisal. I'm so excited.”

See 'TDN Europe' for the full results from the Saudi Cup card.