Saudi Crown led gate to wire over a sloppy racetrack to win the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) by a half-length over a hard-charging Dreamlike.
Saudi Crown, who lost both he Jim Dandy S. (G2) and Dwyer S. (G3) by a nose, is the first graded stakes winner for Always Dreaming, who is now in the top 10 on the 2023 Second-Crop sire list.
After breaking alertly from the gate, Saudi Crown was able to get the lead in the first few strides and led the field though early fractions of :23.16 and :47.27. Each time one of his foes got within a length, he would pull away, and it wasn’t until Dreamlike ran on very late that the margin was less than a length. Saudi Crown stopped the timer at 1:50.62 for the nine furlongs.
“Based on what we saw throughout the day, I thought we had to be aggressive,” trainer Brad Cox said of the track conditions. “Sometimes, you see that and everyone has the same idea. He has enough natural speed to break clear off.”
Cox said Saudi Crown could go on to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), early November at Santa Anita Park.
“He could be in the Classic,@ said Cox. “Based off the pedigree, by Derby winner out of a Tapit mare, with his physical deal, he could handle the mile and a quarter. Obviously, you have to get the right setup. I am not sure he has to have the lead in order to win. He is a pretty kind horse who breaks well.”
The gray/roan sophomore is campaigned by Faisal M. Alqahtani of FMQ Stables. His record now stands at 3-2-0 in five starts and earnings at $817,095.
Saudi Crown was bred by CHC, Inc. and sold to his owner for $240,000 at the 2022 OBS Spring 2-year-olds in Training sale.
