Keeneland purchase New York Central to target Saudi Cup sprint

Khalid Mishref, an agent bidding on horses for Saudi Arabian interests, said Wednesday that his new $240,000 Keeneland November Sale purchase New York Central will aim for a sprint on the new Saudi Cup undercard.

New York Central, a 4-year-old son of Tapit, sold as part of WinStar Farm’s consignment of horses suitable for racing after winning four of 12 races in the states. The former Steve Asmussen trainee’s resume includes a May 18 victory in Pimlico’s Maryland Sprint Stakes (G2).

“He will be racing against good caliber (horses) coming from all over the world, so hopefully he will do well for us,” Mishref said of New York Central’s next spot, a six-furlong sprint with a $1.5 million purse.

“He looks good as an individual. I love his confirmation. He vets out very well. He will be there within 50 days.”

With a solid performance on Saudi Arabia’s richest-ever day of racing, he could also transform into a stallion prospect overseas.

“We’re going to try to promote the breeding in the long run,” Mishref said.

Mishref doesn’t anticipate New York Central -- whose sale price topped Wednesday's session -- prepping for the Saudi Cup day sprint. The colt last ran on Nov. 2 in Churchill Downs’ Bet on Sunshine Stakes.

The same agent also purchased Tuesday’s sales topper, 2-year-old Liam’s Legend, an Oct. 26 Keeneland maiden winner going nine furlongs who will also head to Saudi Arabia.

“We are targeting eight, nine, 10 furlongs,” Mishref said for that one. “He might have potential for the (2021) $20 million Saudi Cup.”