Report: Soul of an Angel is latest U.S. horse to skip Saudi Cup

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Soul of an Angel will not race in the Grade 1, $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 22 in Riyadh, according to a report Monday.

Alhough trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. described Soul of an Angel as "ready to run," he told Daily Racing Form's Mike Welsch that he will switch the 6-year-old mare back to galloping and then ramp her up for a return in the Madison (G1) on April 5. She was two deep on the reserve list for the Saudi Cup when her connections decided Sunday to skip the race.

This exit was the latest in a wave of U.S. defections from the world's richest race, which will be run at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. Locked was removed from consideration for the Saudi Cup during the weekend, according to a report in Thoroughbred Daily News. Instead, he will be pointed to the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on March 1, according to connections.

Futures betting favorite Sierra Leone, trained by Chad Brown, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) winner White Abarrio, trained by Joseph, already had been redirected to other races.

Rattle N Roll, a six-time graded-stakes winner in America who finished first in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (G3) last month at Riyadh, is the only U.S. horse expected to take part in the Saudi Cup.