Saudi Cup fair odds: East vs. west battle looms in the desert

The type of field you would expect to show up for $20 million is taking shape with grade and group 1 winners from around the world targeting the Saudi Cup (G1) on Feb. 27 at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh.

Leading the brigade, at least as far as my fair odds go, is two-time Group 1 winner Lemon Pop, who most recently captured the Champions Cup in Japan. But Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio and Pegasus World Cup winner National Treasure figure to be among the top-bet horses as well with turf invader Luxembourg, a Grade 1 winner in his native Ireland.

We'll know more about the final field the week of the race, but the current probables indicate another spirited pace setup. A similar dynamic shaped up in the Pegasus with many potential pace players lined up. National Treasure won both the battle and the war, putting away all early challengers before holding off Señor Buscador, who also is expected in the Saudi Cup.

That dynamic is what has me leaning slightly in Lemon Pop and White Abarrio's direction even as National Treasure surely impressed in the Pegasus. Also, one pace player who was not in the Pegasus but is expected in the Saudi Cup is Crown, a gate-to-wire winner of his 4-year-old debut last out.

A lot will change with defections and the draw, but with a voluminous field expected value is sure to be found.