OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Live coverage of the lucrative Saudi Cup card will air Saturday, February 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern on FS2. The Group 1 Saudi Cup, the world’s richest race with a $20 million purse, is headlined by defending champion Mishriff and includes an international field of contenders led by Grade 1-winner Mandaloun.
The Saudi Cup, to be contested at nine furlongs at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will offer a prize of $10 million to the winner.
FOX Sports is the exclusive broadcast provider of the Saudi Cup in the United States, where the ‘Golden Hour’ telecast will air from noon-1 p.m., Eastern on FS2, with limited commercial interruption made possible by Runhappy. Scheduled post time for the Saudi Cup is 12:40 p.m.
Hosted by Nick Luck and Michelle Yu with the race call to be provided by John Hunt, the international broadcast will originate from King Abdulaziz Racetrack with analysis from Tom Stanley and Matt Bernier. Greg Wolf will provide stateside updates live from Aqueduct Racetrack.
The Saudi Cup undercard will air live from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on FS2 and feature six group stakes races. Undercard coverage is presented by Runhappy.
Two special wagers will be available utilizing races from the Saudi Cup card, including a Cross Country Pick 5 and Saudi Cup Pick 6.
The Cross Country Pick 5, hosted by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), will include a selection of stakes action from Aqueduct Racetrack, King Abdulaziz Racetrack and Oaklawn Park.
The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, which features a low 15 percent takeout, will continue each Saturday throughout the year.
Global wagering on the Saudi Cup card, including the Saudi Cup Pick 6, is hosted by U.S.-based SIS Content Services. The Saudi Cup Pick 6, offering a $0.50 minimum and mandatory payout, will feature six group stakes [Races 1,2,3,6,7,8] from King Abdulaziz Racetrack.
The sequence will begin in Race 1 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern with the Group 3, $1.5M Neom Turf Cup presented by Jahez and includes the Group 3 1351 Turf Sprint [Race 2]; Group 3 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap [Race 3]; Group 3 Saudi Derby presented by Al Rajhi Bank [Race 6]; Group 3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint presented by Saudia [Race 7]; and concludes with the Group 1 Saudi Cup in Race 8. Takeout for the Saudi Cup Pick 6 is 25 percent.
The Saudi Cup card will offer a wide array of pari-mutuel opportunities, including Win, Place and Show wagering with a $1 minimum and 20 percent takeout. Also offered with a 25 percent takeout are the Omni and Double [Races 2,6,7] at a $1 minimum; Trifecta, Pick 3 [Races 2,6] and Pick 4 [Race 1] for a $0.50 base; and the Superfecta for $0.10 minimum bet.
Saudi Cup Card – Saturday, February 26
Race 1 – 8:00 a.m. – Group 3, $1.5M Neom Turf Cup presented by Jahez
Race 2 – 8:35 a.m. – Group 3, $1.5M 1351 Turf Sprint presented by STC
Race 3 – 9:10 a.m. – Group 3, $2.5M Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap
Race 4 – 9:45 a.m. – $1M Jockey Club Local Handicap pres. by The Ministry of Culture
Race 5 – 10:30 a.m. – Group 2, $2M Obaiya Arabian Classic presented by Lexus
Race 6 – 11:10 a.m. – Group 3, $1.5M Saudi Derby presented by Al Rajhi Bank
Race 7 – 11:50 a.m. – Group 3, $1.5M Riyadh Dirt Sprint presented by Saudia
Race 8 – 12:40 p.m. – Group 1, $20M Saudi Cup
Wagering on the Saudi Cup card is available in the United States via NYRA Bets. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.
Free Equibase-provided past performances are available for races that are part of the broadcast and can be accessed at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.
NYRA Press Office
