Regardless of scratching from the Ack Ack Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs Sept. 28 with a foot harm, coach Brad Cox is hopeful that grade 1 winner Saudi Crown will nonetheless be capable of make a begin within the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dust Mile (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 2.
“He is had it earlier than, so it isn’t something that hasn’t been there prior to now,” the coach mentioned of the foot situation Sept. 28. “It is not likely a priority, it was simply the timing.”
The poor timing price the 4-year-old son of At all times Dreaming   a chance to earn an computerized spot within the Dust Mile by way of the Breeders’ Cup Problem Sequence. The colt was the 4-5 morning line favourite for the race in the end gained by Three Approach .
“The Breeders’ Cup (Dust) Mile is certainly nonetheless in play, so long as he can get in,” Cox mentioned. “If he is doing effectively, we’ll give him a chance.”
The choice on whether or not or not he runs will fall within the arms of the Breeders’ Cup Choice Committee ought to the sector be oversubscribed. The choice system ranks horses so as of choice based mostly on wins in Breeders’ Cup Problem races, some extent system, and the judgment of a panel of racing consultants.Join BloodHorse Each day
Saudi Crown began the season with a victory within the Jan. 20 Louisiana Stakes (G3) at Truthful Grounds Race Course & Slots. Touring to the Center East, he ran third within the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse and twelfth within the March 30 Godolphin Mile (G2) at Meydan in Dubai.
Given time to get well from his journey, he returned at Ellis Park Aug. 11 with a front-running 1 3/4-length rating within the one-mile R.A. “Cowboy” Jones Stakes. In that win, he earned a 112 Equibase Pace Determine, the second highest of his profession behind the 114 he earned successful the 2023 Pennsylvania Derby (G1).
Bred in Kentucky by CHC and racing for FMQ Stables, Saudi Crown has pocketed $2,193,900 in earnings this season.
These credentials can be what the choice panel of racing administrators and secretaries considers as Cox is not going to search for one other prep.
“I do not assume I might have time,” Cox mentioned of a remaining prep race. “We’ll miss a number of days (of coaching) and we will try to have him recent and able to go.”
Hurricane Helene Delays Coaching Plans at Churchill Downs
Saudi Crown wasn’t the one horse at Churchill Downs to have his coaching derailed this week because the remnants of Hurricane Helene fell on Louisville, Ky. for practically 48 hours straight.
Churchill Downs is residence to just about 1,400 horses, however solely 18 recorded official timed exercises on the very sloppy monitor Sept. 27-29. In the meantime, 144 horses obtained their timed exercises in on a quick monitor forward of the storm Sept. 26.
The timing of the storm was not very best as most of the prime horses at Churchill Downs are making ready for his or her remaining Breeders’ Cup preps at Keeneland, which holds eight Problem Sequence races Oct. 4-6.
“Total, I do not really feel prefer it’s affected us an excessive amount of but,” Cox mentioned of the hurricane. “Hopefully we do not get rather more of this.”
Fortunately for Cox and all the opposite trainers on Churchill’s bottom, the rain got here to a halt Saturday night time and the solar was out Sunday morning. The filth monitor had been upgraded to “good” by the beginning of racing Sunday afternoon.
Amongst those that missed exercises on their authentic deliberate date have been Cox’s Idiomatic and Immersive .
Photograph: Anne M. EberhardtIdiomatic wins the 2023Â Spinster Stakes at Keeneland
Juddmonte homebred Idiomatic is slated to run Sunday within the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland as a remaining tune-up for her title protection within the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). Immersive, a Godolphin homebred and winner of the Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, is pointed at Friday’s Alcibiades (G1), a “Win and You are In” for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).
“I would not say I’ve missed a piece as a result of I’ve a bit extra time, however they have been slated to work this weekend,” Cox mentioned. “We’ll get them out right here and allow them to cruise down the lane Monday or Tuesday.”
Highland Falls , holder of a spot within the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Traditional (G1) because of his Sept. 1 victory within the Jockey Membership Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga, was not impacted by the hurricane.
The 4-year-old Curlin  colt bred and raced by Godolphin returned to the work tab Sept. 20 with a straightforward half-mile in :49 4/5 at Churchill Downs. Cox mentioned he was already planning to skip a piece this week earlier than revving up with 4 breezes main into the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup.
“He is doing incredible,” Cox mentioned. “I am proud of the way in which he is shifting and the way he seems.”
