The Lead:
The world's eyes will be on the $20 million Saudi Cup on Saturday from the Middle East, but the undercard provides several competitive wagering opportunities as well. One of those stands out in Race 6, the $1.5 million Saudi Derby, where the international pool figures to be heavy on the Japanese and American contingents.

Through the first 7 weeks of 2023, our Xpressbet Race of the Week betting strategies have netted $2,768 in returns for $700 invested -- including 4 winners returning $1242, $430, $520 and another $576 a week ago. Plying our trade in international races like this isn't the norm, but we'll see if a hot hand extends to the desert.

​Field Depth:
Graded stakes winners HAVNAMELTDOWN from California (pictured above) and CONTINUAR from Japan will garner the headlines and support on the international parimutuel tote. These kind of races always are difficult to judge on class, though ES UNICO's last company line in Dubai stacks up nicely as well.

Pace:
FROM DUSK and HAVNAMELTDOWN ought to insure a blistering pace over a mile. Several others of these sprint-bred types could push the issue and a finisher has a major chance in this set-up.

Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.

1-Es Unico: Clear runner-up in the UAE 2000 Guineas trial over 7 furlongs on dirt at Meydan, this southern hemisphere 4-year-old transferred his form nicely from Uruguay. Finished up with sharp interest behind highly regarded Tiger Nation in Dubai, a race capable of winning this. Es Unico is by sire War Secretary, who owns a purely American pedigree by War Front out of outstanding turf/synthetic mare Upperline.

2-Loreley: No match for Es Unico in Meydan’s UAE 2000 Guineas trial a month ago, but post-race scope detected mucus that may have impacted performance. Clasico Argentina winner prior in front-running fashion may be part of the pace. Southern Hemisphere 4-year-old is by fleet US sire Kentuckian and out of a mare by Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus.

3-Almulhem: Late May 20 foal gives away development to Northern Hemisphere types and obviously those from Southern Hemisphere. Runaway maiden mile winner over this track on December 24, besting 18 runners by 3+ lengths. Has a sprint/mile US pedigree, pure Todd Pletcher, by More Than Ready and out of the mare Morrow Cove (by sprinter Yes It’s True).

4-Almurtajiz: No match runner-up to Saudi Derby rival Commissioner King in the Ministry of National Guard Cup over this track Dec. 16 going the same mile trip. Showed promise in November romp over 7 furlongs locally. Win-early pedigree by Good Magic out of American mare Vieja Luna; should handle distance.

5-Atta Alghali: Son of Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Karakontie would appear turf-bred on top, but dam was solid dirt performer in Chicago. Third-place finisher over this track Jan. 27 in the Saudi Derby qualifier. He had to almost stop cold on the far turn and re-rallied nicely before losing steam late. Could be a late factor with a cleaner trip.

6-Baalb: Deeper foundation than most of the local Saudi sophomores, running 6 times back to early September and winning 2 of 3 over the track in Riyadh. Maternal grandson of star US sprinter Classy Mirage is by Irish sprint/mile sharpie Beldardo. Comes off a disappointing race, but intrigues some.

7-Commissioner King: Kentucky-bred son of Pimlico Special winner and Belmont Stakes runner-up Commissioner, he exits a 4-length win Dec. 16 in the local Ministry of National Guard Cup. Dam was a solid stakes sprinter in Maryland. Winner of 2 of 3 lifetime ranks among the top local hopes.

8-Continuar: Cattleya Stakes winner in Japan’s Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers in November, he’s a son of top US sprinter Drefong. Note last year’s Saudi Derby runner-up also was a son of Drefong via Japan. Connections seek path from Saudi Arabia to Dubai to Louisville if all goes to plan. Twice has run 1-1/8 miles, so distance will not be an issue at a mile for this colt from the female family of legendary Japanese mare Almond Eye. Was a bit one-paced last out in the Cattleya victory.

9-Derma Sotogake: Hard-fought dirt winner in Japan’s Zen Nippon Nisai Yushun last time out, he’ll be one of that nation’s multiple major reps in the Saudi Derby. Japan has won this race 2 of its 3 years in existence and finished 2-3 in last year’s event. Derma Sotogake defeated Saudi Derby rival Continuar in a matchup last year, and this is a son of Mind Your Biscuits, the US-based sprinter who had much success in Dubai. He carries the Sunday Silence bloodlines on the damside for class and stamina.

10-Ecoro Ares: Outsider among the Japanese contingent, ninth beaten 14 lengths most recently in a turf sprint. Son of US sprinter Unified, who did stretch out to win the 9F Peter Pan around 1 turn. Dam won 3 routes in US on dirt and turf.

11-From Dusk: $900,000 Ocala 2-Year-Old purchase by hot young sire Bolt d’Oro (and out of a half-sister to $1.6M turfer Get Stormy) has been wildly inconsistent in Japan to date. He’s performed better shorter in distance and has exceptional early foot – owing to his 9-4/5 drill at OBS. From Dusk should be part of the pace.

12-Havnameltdown: Trainer Bob Baffert won this race last year wire-to-wire with Pinehurst, who ran in many of the same races as this colt – specifically, the Del Mar Futurity at 2 and San Vicente at 3. His only career loss in 5 starts came when barnmate Cave Rock wired the Del Mar Futurity. Havnameltdown was gifted the lead in the San Vicente and cruised up top; that scenario will be more difficult to attain in the Saudi Derby. Not only did his American barnmate win this race last year, but also note Cowan represented the US well in 2021 when runner-up.

13-My Map: Saudi Arabia’s leading contender is perfect in 4 starts and notched the local prep victory in the Saudi Derby qualifier. By Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Liam’s Map, he sat patiently inside last out, split horses professionally and had a nice turn of foot to open up before idling a bit to the wire. With a hot pace expected, he’s a danger late as the locals look for their first win in this race.

Most Certain Exotics Contender:
ES UNICO really caught my eye in Dubai and the race shape looks favorable for his style. The Southern Hemisphere 4YOs always perk my attention in these spring international races with their developmental edge.

Best Longshot Exotics Contender:
ATTA ALGHALI can improve off a troubled trip and gets a good set-up.

Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$70 win ES UNICO. $5 exacta key-box ES UNICO with MY MAP, HAVNAMELTDOWN, ATTA ALGHALI ($30).