Analysis: Midnight Bisou opens options with Saudi Cup finish

Last season's 3-year-old champion Maximum Security captured the initial Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh by only ¾ of a length over Midnight Bisou. But the small margin is deceiving, as he overcame multiple problems en route to his winner's share of a record $20 million purse.

With the victory, Maximum Security reestablished himself as the leading dirt horse in North America. He can claim the title for the rest of the world, too.

But to reach that point, Maximum Security received a less-than-ideal trip. He adapted, however, like a No. 1 horse in the world is supposed to.

What made his trip difficult? For starters, Maximum Security did not secure the lead. When horses are positioned outside their usual running style, it takes a good one to win to accept a different scenario and still fire.

Capezzano shot to the front, followed by other speed horses Mucho Gusto and North America. Caught outside, Maximum Security chased in fourth.

As Mucho Gusto continued with the lead approaching the turn, Luis Saez began to ask Maximum Security. But in a moment of panic for his backers, Maximum Security did not immediately respond to Saez's scrubbing and only maintained position into the stretch. He slowly moved into second.

At the top of the stretch, Maximum Security took aim. Irad Ortiz Jr. applied some questionable tactics with Mucho Gusto by shifting right into Maximum Security's lane. To counter, Saez took Maximum Security inside Mucho Gusto. Ortiz Jr. then shifted inside on Mucho Gusto for another block attempt.

Ortiz Jr. lacked enough horse under him later after setting the pace. Mucho Gusto drifted out again after shifting inward and began to fade towards the finish. As he came out again, Maximum Security inched forward with the lead. Midnight Bisou came rolling through the inside with a bid of her own and almost matched him, but Maximum Security lasted.

Maximum Security faced three points of adversity. He failed to get his preferred position, ran wide and was purposefully blocked twice.

Yet, he won. If fans are searching for the next big older horse in the vein of Gun Runner, Arrogate and California Chrome, Maximum Security is the one.

Should Midnight Bisou face males more often?

Another interesting topic is whether Midnight Bisou's runner-up effort in the Saudi Cup warrants more attempts against males moving forward.

Granted, Midnight Bisou did not experience the same problems as Maximum Security. She saved ground on the turn and found plenty of room to rally through on the inside, as Maximum Security lost ground on the turn and spent the early part of the stretch blocked by Mucho Gusto twice.

Maximum Security ran the better race, but Midnight Bisou only lost by ¾ of a length to to the No. 1 dirt horse. She also out-kicked other Americans and international stars. Consider that she beat Benbatl, Mucho Gusto, Tacitus, Chrysoberyl, Gronkowski and McKinzie. If she could outrun all those horses, then why not take a shot at the March 28 Dubai World Cup (G1)?

If the 1 1/4-mile distance is too far, there are many Grade 1 options in North America to point for, such as the one-mile Metropolitan Handicap (G1) in May.

The other side of the argument is that she could dominate the female division. But after winning 7 of 8 races last year and the older dirt female Eclipse Award, what is the point of focusing on that division again?

In any case, Midnight Bisou deserves credit for putting in a good run for second in a $20 million international race regardless of gender.

Americans dominate Saudi Cup

When top-tier American dirt horses remain in training, they are better on average than the top international horses in dirt racing. This is simply because most countries breed their horses for turf racing, while the top American races such as the Kentucky Derby Breeders' Cup Classic make sure that dirt breeding always has its place in the U.S.

Luckily, standout runners Maximum Security and Midnight Bisou did not retire after excellent campaigns last year, which made it difficult on the internationals in this race. As pointed out above, they finished 1-2, while Mucho Gusto and Tacitus ran 4-5.

Benbatl managed to break up an American trifecta, but the international horses disappointed by taking the sixth through 10th positions, and 12th through 14th. The lone American to miss the top half was McKinzie, who finished crossed the line 11th. He did not run his usual race for whatever reason.

In certain editions of the Dubai World Cup, the top older dirt Americans were lacking. This proved true in the last two years when Thunder Snow won the 2018 and 2019 Dubai World Cups. But this year, North America packs a punch in the older horse dirt division.

If any of the American runners from the Saudi Cup try the Dubai World Cup next month, keep that in mind. The best dirt runners in the world this year are American.