It is Saudi Cup Saturday, and there is some nice horse racing across the globe. We’ll look at a few spots and see if we can come up with any plays. The Kentucky Derby points and prep race, The Rebel came up light in my view despite the generous one million dollar plus purse. I’ll just be watching that one. 

Over in the desert in The Howden Neom Turf Cup there were three horses who caught my eye as runner sitting on a big race. Luxembourg lost a heartbreaker last out and has plenty of class. When his game face is on, and I expect it will be Saturday he can compete with the best of them. The Foxes has a nice burst when he brings his best and Oisin Murphy goes to ride. Killer Ability is the “one from Japan” who I have my eye on and when it comes down to it, I will lean that way or to Luxembourg. That will be a game time call, but I will take the one I lean to over the other two and leave it at that.

In The Saudi Cup it is hard not to notice how sneaky or maybe not so sneaky good Derma Sotogake ran in The Breeders’ Cup Classic off that layoff. You must think he will be a lot tighter here. That said, he still must bring it and run a career race to win this. On paper there is speed and plenty of it. It is hard to imagine either National Treasure or Saudi Crown steal it on the front end. This track has been known to be speed friendly, but the pace sets up how thee pace sets up. Breeders’ Cup Classic Winner White Abarrio who also ran one of the best Whitneys I can recall appears to be holding his form and has a cozy rail draw in this one turn mile and an eighth race. I don’t view the rail as a negative especially with Irad in the saddle. I think he should sit a nice trip and Irad should make the right move into a hot pace. This looks like an exciting race on paper.

Back in the states we have the Grade 3 Santa Ana Stakes at a mile and a quarter at Santa Anita. Linda’s Gift looks to have a pace advantage here and should get the lead by herself over a course very similar to the one she handles last time in The Astra.

Candy Man Rocket looks to have the Gulfstream Sprint field measured despite the layoff. Maybe the play is finding the right second horse and singling him in the multi race wagers. I would consider two in that role and for those inclined to try and beat this favorite I’d consider the same two. Swirvin is fresh, lightly raced and had excuses in the races he ran that were subpar for him. I think he has some upside, and he has shown he can sit a trip as well. Long Range Toddy has found some new life in a new barn and likes this track. Paco knows him and rides him well.

We have a lot of new shows coming out on Past the Wire TV including live on scene footage from The Belmont Stakes Festival. Make sure and subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss any of it. We have some great recent interviews with Dylan Davis and Kyle Frey talking race riding and interesting jockey stuff. We also have Lexington Breeder Carrie Brogden with a window into finding the right stallion and mare. If you pay attention you just might find an edge you can use wagering in these type sshows.