Saudi Crown dominates Commonwealth at Keeneland

Even-money favorite Saudi Crown pressed the pace and drove clear through the stretch to win the Grade 3, $350,000 Commonwealth Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths Saturday at Keeneland.

Flavien Prat rode the 6-year-old for trainer Brad Cox in the seven-furlong dirt race for older horses, a field trimmed to six with the stakes scratch of Be You.

National Identity, with Joel Rosario aboard, led early in the three path as Dr. Saikali issued a bid along the inside. Saudi Crown tracked from second through a quarter-mile in 22.68 seconds and a half in 45.73, then ranged up outside the dueling leaders around the turn. He got floated five wide entering the lane but had too much, seizing command and powering away through six furlongs in 1:10.02. The final time was 1:22.56 on the fast main track.

Crazy Mason, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Gregory Sacco, trailed the field into and around the turn, swung six wide into the stretch and produced a strong late rally to grab second in the final sixteenth. He was gaining on the winner at the wire. National Identity kept on for third after pressing the pace throughout but yielded the place in the closing strides.

Track Mate settled along the inside and took rail aim in the stretch but lacked a bid, finishing fourth. Multitask tracked in mid-pack and failed to menace, finishing fifth. Dr. Saikali faded to last after contesting the early lead.

"We'll probably keep him around one turn or maybe send him out to a one-turn mile," Cox said. "I was proud of his performance today. I thought it was a good spot and I thought he drew well. He was able to let things unfold to the inside of him and he was ridden patiently up the backside and responded when asked, so a positive effort. He's been training really well. He's been on it the last few months and acting like he was when he was a 3-year-old, and I'm glad to see him show up. I want to thank FMQ Stables. It's nice to have a horse hanging around at the age of 6 and still being competitive at the graded stakes level."

Prat praised the trip: "He broke sharp. He was kind enough to switch off when we hit the half-mile pole and give me a good run. Brad was very confident and he ran a good race today."

Ortiz said of Crazy Mason: "My horse broke good today. He was a little closer than last time, so I was happy with that and he closed, but I couldn't catch up to the winner. Second-best today."

Rosario reflected on National Identity's effort: "I had a good trip – it looked like it was going to go perfectly fine. I went up to the lead and the horse came inside and I kind of let him go for a little bit. Saudi Crown was the best horse. I tried to hang in there for a second but the other horse got me, but he did very well."

Saudi Crown paid $4.02, $2.70 and $2.10. Crazy Mason returned $3.10 and $2.24. National Identity paid $2.66 to show.