26 February 2022 – This year’s renewal of the US $1,500,000 The Saudi Derby presented by Al Rajhi Bank featured a multi-continental challenge dominated by American speed in the shape of the fast-breaking Pinehurst (USA).
An inaugural riding experience for USA-based Frenchman Flavien Prat turned into a resounding success when timing it to perfection on the Bob Baffert trainee. Prat continued a remarkable streak for French jockeys on the night.
The Japanese contingent tried their best to make it another major win, highlighted by a deep-closing second-place effort from the Koshiro Take-trained Sekifu (JPN), who was gaining on Pinehurst with every stride under Cristian Demuro to pass the line half a length adrift.
Unbeaten Consigliere (JPN) was part of the early pace before taking a breather and coming back with renewed vigour, guided by man-of-the-moment Christophe Lemaire for trainer Yukio Inagaki in third.
The locally-trained Alnaader (KSA) held up the Saudi Arabian honour with a strong fourth under Abdullah Alawfi.
An imposing son of Twirling Candy, Pinehurst was able to hold off the cavalry by half a length, posting a final time of 1:38.12 for the 1600m. Gaining his first victory as a three-year-old, the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity winner sported the Starlight Racing colours, and is owned in partnership with SF Racing LLC and Madaket Stables.
Quotes:
Bob Baffert, trainer, Pinehurst, 1st: “That was exciting. I thought that would be a great spot for him. Taking him and Country Grammer over there all that way and for him to run well, I’m very proud of him and happy for my team.
“It’s exciting to win after coming up short a couple of times over there. I hate when they show that 100m line on the screen because I’ve lost so much money in that last 100m at that track the past two years, but we got it done today. I think I carried him the last 100m.
“I think he could stretch out next. He’s a horse who went through a lull and we had to back off him a bit, but when we brought them back, he ran a great race [in the Grade 2 San Vicente] last time. He’s tough and strong and I thought he was the kind of horse who could handle this kind of trip and that kind of track. He has a lot of quality and we haven’t seen the best yet of him. I think he will go to Dubai for the UAE Derby after this.””
Jimmy Barnes, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert, Pinehurst: “He is all speed. He was very good at the gate and did what he needed to do. He got a clean break and if you are going to beat us, you have to pass us, and he was able to stay in the lead the whole way. They [the Japanese] were coming again; well, they had enough for the day, so spread it around! Luckily he had enough heart and stamina to hold off the Japanese.
“This was our expectation. We came over here with a serious horse and he seemed to handle everything well – the shipping, the paddock, the van to come over for the race, the gate. Well, he left the gate running. I couldn’t be happier.”
Flavien Prat, jockey, Pinehurst: “He is a very good horse. We broke well and I was cruising all the way around and he responded very well when it was time to move. The track is really safe and I can only say good things about the track. It is my first time here and the whole thing has been a great experience and it means a lot to win that race.”
Cristian Demuro, jockey, Sekifu, 2nd: “He was a little bit lazy at the start of the race because he doesn’t like too much kickback, so in the corner I was a little bit outside where he doesn’t get too much. In the stretch, I pulled out to avoid the kickback and he tried hard and showed a good turn of foot, but Bob Baffert’s horse started again. I think he will go at least 1800m or longer, no problem.”
Christophe Lemaire, jockey, Consigliere, 3rd: “I was with the winner, I let him pass coming to the first corner to give my horse a chance and then we challenged the winner until the end. He was very generous – there was no excuse.”
Other jockey quotes:
Mikael Barzalona, Sovereign Prince, 5th: “He ran very well but was just beaten by better horses.”
John Egan, jockey, The Wizard Of Eye, 7th: “He ran a very good race in difficult, very new conditions for him. Stan [Moore, trainer] couldn’t train him as he probably wanted, because he had to mind him and you have to be very fit for this, so he had to mind him as well as get him fit for this, so not easy. He’s a big, raw horse and I have no doubt he will have big races in him as he develops.”
Alexis Moreno, jockey, I Am Magic, 9th: “He was up there early but he tired in the last bit. Not sure if he stays this distance and it was a very strong race.”
Wigberto Ramos, jockey, Almuthanna, 11th: “That was a totally different game for him there.”
Florent Geroux, jockey, Jacinda, 12th: “We had a good position in fourth or so early on but she couldn’t go on. She’s not a dirt filly.”
Frankie Dettori, jockey, Noble Truth, 13th: “He just didn’t enjoy it all.”
Luis Saez, jockey, Oscula, 14th: “She broke OK but she could not lie up with them.”
The Saudi Cup Press Release
Photo: Pinehurst (The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia Photo)
