Acknowledgemeplz asks for respect in Saudi Derby
Acknowledgemeplz targets the Group 3, $1.5 million Saudi Derby on Saturday at King Abdulaziz Racecourse for trainer Doug O'Neill, who will pair the son of Bucchero with reigning champion jockey Flavien Prat.
"He's always been kind of a gifted horse and it was, of course, pretty amazing to get the invite," O'Neill said. "He's got speed, some stamina and a beautiful way of going. He's a little bit tricky sometimes cornering, so I think two turns would be challenging for him right now, but a one-turn mile like this is right up his alley and he definitely acts like a better-than-average sort, that's for sure."
The chestnut ridgling has won one of four career starts, breaking through on his second outing when he bested Bob Baffert sophomore Blacksmith, who subsequently finished second in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).
In his most recent start, Acknowledgemeplz set a blistering pace in the seven-furlong San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita – including a second quarter-mile sectional in 21.53 seconds – and finished third, beaten a little more than two lengths.
"I'm pretty excited to see Flavien on him," O'Neill said. "He can be pretty magical with horses and I'm hoping he can work his magic with this guy. I think (Acknowledgemeplz) can rate and doesn't necessarily need the lead, either.
"I've done all sorts of things to try to get him to get into a more relaxed rhythm. I have two-minute licked him to get him to relax and then finish on the final turn for home. We haven't seen the results yet to try to go two turns with him again, but we see him improving. Other than that, he doesn't seem like an accelerator-stuck kind of horse. He has multiple gears and the one-turn mile suits him."
Prat will need to navigate a pace scenario that could include Steve Asmussen-trained Obliteration, along with five Japanese invaders who bring tactical speed, including Satono Voyage (JPN).
O'Neill, who conditioned Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and Big 'Cap hero Lava Man, sends his second runner to the Saudi Cup meeting and his first since the 2020 inaugural, when Legends of War finished sixth in the 1351 Turf Sprint.
Acknowledgemeplz races for Purple Rein Racing and Mark Davis. Purple Rein Racing's Jeanie Buss serves as governor and former majority owner of the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Lakers. Davis owns and operates Precision Electric Group.
"Our owners, Jeanie and Mark, are super-cool, really love the ponies and going to the races," O'Neill said.
"It would be great to get a win for them. They've been good partners together here of late and we're hoping to keep that going. Unfortunately, neither can make the trip, but they are honored to get their horse invited and hopefully have a chance of winning this race."