Saudi Cup field swells to 14; Shancelot out of Saudia Sprint?

The cast of five American contenders pointing to the $20 million Saudi Cup didn't change with Thursday's update of the prospective fields. But looking ahead to the Feb. 29 card at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, a top U.S. horse appears out of the undercard.

Initially listed for the $1.5 million Saudia Sprint, Shancelot, a newly turned 4-year-old sprinter, is off the list. Attempts to reach trainer Jorge Navarro were unsuccessful Thursday morning. Shancelot, a flashy winner of the Amsterdam (G2) last summer, posted his most-recent work Feb. 5 at Gulfstream Park West and was said to be using the Saudia Sprint as the beginning of a two-race overseas trip, with the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) following on March 28.

Grade 1 winner Imperial Hint remains the headliner for the Saudia Sprint, while U.S.-based Engage and Captain Scotty are still on the list. Also of local interest, the graded winner New York Central was sold last November at Keeneland to Saudi Arabian interests for this event.

As for the Saudi Cup itself, Maximum Security, McKinzie, Midnight Bisou, Mucho Gusto and Tacitus have held pat in preparations for the world's richest horse race, which will run around one turn at 1 1/8 miles. Meanwhile, the international cast surrounding them grew.

A full field of 14 looks to be assembled now with additions including Capezzano, due to end his layoff Thursday in Meydan's Firebreak (G3) and wheel back two weeks later; Great Scot, a former European campaigner purchased last fall by Saudi interests; and North America, who failed as the Dubai World Cup (G1) favorite last year but is an otherwise classy pace factor in this spot.

Phil Smith, former handicapper for the British Horseracing Authority, assigned ratings to nominated horses to determine a preference order for the Saudi Cup, which also accepted a local runner out of two preps run last Saturday at King Abdulaziz Racetrack. Mjjack won The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup for imported horses to punch a ticket to the Saudi Cup.

Tom Ryan, director of strategy for the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, told Horse Racing Nation last week that the Saudi Cup is expected to air on Fox Sports 1, with the undercard on Fox Sports 2 and TVG. Arrangements are being made with leading advanced deposit wagering services to open betting on the races in the U.S. and Canada.

First post time on the all-stakes card will be 8 a.m. ET, with the Saudi Cup scheduled for 12:40 p.m. ET. Other events including American runners are the $1 million Neom Turf Cup (Mo Forza); $1 million 1351 Turf Sprint (Ghoul, Legends of War); and $800,000 Saudi Derby (Billy Batts, Rowdy Yates).

A Tuesday flight is scheduled to escort American runners to Saudi Arabia.