Pinehurst and Prat hold on to win the Saudi Derby for Baffert

The 2022 renewal of the $1.5 million Saudi Derby featured a multi-continental challenge dominated by American speed in the shape of the fast-breaking Pinehurst .

An inaugural riding experience for USA-based Frenchman Flavien Prat turned into a resounding success when timing it to perfection on the Bob Baffert trainee. Prat continued a remarkable streak for French jockeys on the night.

"He is a very good horse,” Prat said. “We broke well and I was cruising all the way around and he responded very well when it was time to move.”

The Japanese contingent tried its best to make it another major win on the night, highlighted by a deep-closing second-place effort from the Koshiro Take-trained Sekifu, who was gaining on Pinehurst with every stride under Cristian Demuro to pass the line half a length adrift.

Unbeaten Consigliere was part of the early pace before taking a breather and coming back with renewed vigor, guided by man-of-the-moment Christophe Lemaire for trainer Yukio Inagaki in third.

The locally trained Alnaader finished a strong fourth under Abdullah Alawfi.  

An imposing son of Twirling Candy, Pinehurst was able to hold off the cavalry by half a length, posting a final time of 1:38.12 for the 1600m. Gaining his first victory as a 3-year-old, the Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner sported the Starlight Racing colors, and is owned in partnership with SF Racing LLC and Madaket Stables.