American-based hopefuls Taiba (pictured) and Country Grammer drew posts 2 and 10 for Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh. The pair of Bob Baffert trainees are part of the field of 13, which includes defending champion Emblem Road, who will try to become the event’s first two-time winner after last year’s 99-1 shocking upset.

Second in this race in 2022, Country Grammer has the experience factor with the journey and track, whereas the 4-year-old Taiba – winner of the Santa Anita Derby, Pennsylvania Derby and Malibu a year ago – is generally considered the more brilliant racehorse of the stablemates. Both employ similar tactics from mid-flight and should be finishing well at the end of 1-1/8 miles.

Front-running Panthalassa drew the rail and his connections said the instructions will be to ‘go.’ The pace contribution also could come from Scotland Yard in post 4. Japan has 6 contenders in the Saudi Cup, including 2022 Kentucky Derby alum Crown Pride, winner of last year’s UAE Derby, and Cafe Pharoah, a son of US Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

First post Saturday will be an early 7:45 am ET start in the US. The undercard includes the $1.5 million Saudi Derby, featuring San Vicente Stakes winner Havnameltdown, as well as the $1.5 million Dirt Sprint, boasting Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Elite Power and fellow American Gunite.

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Riyadh // Race 8 // 12:35 pm ET // $20 million Group 1 Saudi Cup // 1-1/8 miles

PP 1 | #7 Panthalassa (Yutaka Yushida)
PP 2 | #10 Taiba (Mike Smith)
PP 3 | #3 Crown Pride (Damian Lane)
PP 4 | #9 Scotland Yard (Victor Gutierrez)
PP 5 | #13 Sunset Flash (Aseel Alsarhani)
PP 6 | #6 Jun Light Bolt (Ryan Moore)
PP 7 | #8 Remorse (Tadhg O’Shea)
PP 8 | #4 Emblem Road (Alexis Moreno)
PP 9 | #11 Vin De Garde (Mickael Barzalona)
PP 10 | #2 Country Grammer (Frankie Dettori)
PP 11 | #12 Lagertha Rhyme (Ricardo Ferreira)
PP 12 | #5 Geoglyph (Christophe Lemaire)
PP 13 | #1 Cafe Pharoah (Joao Moreira)

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Full Schedule:

Race 1 | 7:45 am ET | $1M Jockey Club Local Handicap | 1-1/8 miles

Race 2 | 8:25 am ET | $2M Arabian Classic | 1-1/4 miles

Race 3 | 9:05 am ET | $1.5M Turf Cup | 1-5/16 miles (T)

Race 4 | 9:45 am ET | $1.5M Turf Sprint | 6-3/4 furlongs (T)

Race 5 | 10:25 am ET | $2.5M Turf Handicap | 1-7/8 miles (T)

Race 6 | 11:05 am ET | $1.5M Saudi Derby | 1 mile

Race 7 | 11:45 am ET | $1.5 Dirt Sprint | 6 furlongs

Race 8 | 12:35 pm ET | $20M Saudi Cup | 1-1/8 miles

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Wagering Notes:

--- No carryovers in multi-race bets; all pools paid out.

--- Pick 6 begins in Race 3

--- Daily Double offered Races 6-7

--- Pick 3 offered Races 6-7-8