New York Central takes Saudia Sprint; Imperial Hint runs 12th

In a race where Imperial Hint didn’t have his best, former Steve Asmussen trainee New York Central scored a thrilling win for new international connections in Saturday’s $1.5 million Saudia Sprint.

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. had the 5-year-old New York Central near the back early on in the six-furlong dirt sprint, while Matera Sky set the pace through the turn. The American duo of Captain Scotty and Imperial Hint – the 3-5 favorite – chased Matera Sky in second and third but gave way coming into the stretch.

Matera Sky opened up to as wide of a lead as six lengths in the stretch. All the while New York Central closed from the far outside, passing a collection of tired rivals.

The Hideyuki Mori-trained Matera Sky finally ran out of gas in the shadow of the wire. He couldn’t stay in front New York Central, who whizzed by just in time on the outside to score by a head.

New York Central returned $23.40 at 10-1 odds, with Matera Sky second and Gladiator King edging Maypole for third.

New York Central is a Kentucky-bred son of Tapit whose four wins on U.S. soil include the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint Stakes last May at Pimlico. Khalid Mishref Alkahtani bought the horse in November’s Keeneland sale for $240,000 and ran him Saturday for trainer Sami Al-Harabi.

The Saudia Sprint marked a disappointing 7-year-old debut for Imperial Hint, a four-time Grade 1 winner. The Luis Carvajal Jr. trainee didn’t respond in the stretch and was geared down for a 12th-place finish in the field of 13.