Saudi Cup is 'setting up perfectly' for Banishing

David Jacobson's Banishing, one of the U.S. squad for the Group 1, $20 million Saudi Cup, took a turn  on the dirt track Wednesday morning. The Charles Town Classic (G2) winner jogged for a lap and a half before breezing about 400 meters.

“He's as good as he's ever been, maybe even a little bit better. I don't know what happened, but he really seems to like it out there,” Jacobson said. “He's on a roll, and we expect a very big race.”

Jacobson unearthed Banishing for $80,000 in a Fasig-Tipton Sale in 2024 and he has since reached millionaire status with his earnings. Sharaf Mohammed Al Hariri, who is also involved in the Saudi Cup runner Rattle N Roll (USA), recently bought into the 6-year-old.

“He loves to run,” Jacobson said. “He doesn't need to do much work in the morning because he's been doing it all in the afternoon. He's very fit, and I liked running in the Pegasus (G1, finished sixth), and this just seems to be setting up perfectly. When a plan comes together, it's always a good thing.

“I don't know if he can win the race, but I definitely know he's going to turn in a good performance. And I love the one-turn mile and an eighth. It would be an unusual race in the United States, and hopefully it's an advantage.”

It is a rarity for Jacobson to be fielding a major international runner, for all that he is a prolific trainer of winners.

“It's a dream,” he said. “I'm living in the dream and I'm just going to keep it going as long as I can.”