Ky. Derby trail: Al Haram overhauls Obliteration in Saudi Derby

The Group 3, $1.5 million Saudi Derby was won in dramatic style by Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah’s Al Haram as he confirmed himself a colt with a very bright future.

The victory earned Al Haram 30 points on the Europe and Middle East spur of the road to the Kentucky Derby, putting him on top of those standings with four more points races left in that group, including the UAE Derby (G2) on March 28, which offers 100 points to its winner. This is the first year the Saudi Derby offered Kentucky Derby qualification points.

American raider Obliteration, trained by Steve Asmussen, broke sharply from gate 7 and set the early pace, with Satono Voyage tracking comfortably on his outside.

Keita Tosaki then guided the Japanese runner Satono Voyage to the front at the top of the stretch but Obliteration battled back along the rail and the race appeared set for a thrilling head-to-head duel between the pair.

However, Al Haram, who had been tracking in mid-division toward the rear, finished sharply and caught them both inside the final 50 meters to secure a 1 1/4-length victory.

Ridden by Ricardo Ferreira for trainer Abdullah Alsidrani, Al Haram stopped the clock in 1:38.45 for the distance of about a mile on fast dirt. The colt, a 3-year-old son of Iffraaj, is now unbeaten in four starts and could be set for an international campaign.

“It was very special because I think this horse is the best one I have ridden in my life,” jockey Ricardo Ferreira said after riding Al Haram to victory. “The stable have done a really good job. This horse has improved race by race. He wants a little more distance. I think he’s better with 2000m (1 1/4 miles) but this was the goal for this weekend, to win this race. He doesn’t jump well but he comes step by step.

“When we came outside in the stretch, he was amazing. I thought I could win for the last 400m (two furlongs). It’s a dream, and I hope I can get more winners for the stable. It has been a brilliant campaign here in Riyadh.”

“I thought I had him,” Joel Rosario, jockey of Obliteration, said. “My horse fought back inside, but then that horse came from out of the clouds.”

Scott Blasi, assistant trainer for Steve Asmussen, also saw reason to be pleased with Obliteration's runner-up outing. “It was a really good effort. Kind of took the worst of it and really finished on well. I’m super proud of him.”