Straight No Chaser is among probables for Saudi Cup day

Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Straight No Chaser, trained by U.S. handler Dan Blacker, headlines the six-furlong, $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint that will be run as a Group 2 for the first time on the undercard of the Feb. 22 Saudi Cup in Riyadh.

Likely starters were listed Friday by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, which is hosting the sixth annual meet that culminates with the Group 1, $20 million Saudi Cup, the world’s richest race.

13 probable starters are aimed at Saudi Cup.

Remake won the Riyadh Dirt Sprint last year and will line up again for trainer Koichi Shintani. The Japan challenge will be further strengthened by Capella (G3) winner Gabby’s Sister for Kazutomo Mori.

Annaf will bid for consecutive successes for U.K. trainer Mick Appleby in the $2 million 1351 Turf Sprint (G2), uniquely run at 6 3/4 furlongs or 1,351 meters. Rossa Ryan will once again be in the saddle.

Franklin-Simpson (G1) victor Howard Wolowitz is aiming to give the U.S. its first win in the race. He is a second runner at the Saudi Cup meeting for trainer José D’Angelo, who saddled Bentornato to finish third in last year’s Saudi Derby (G3).

Victoria Cup (G1) winner Ten Happy Rose, most recently fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile for trainer Daisuke Takayanagi, headlines the Japan nominations.

Third in the race last year, Byline returns for Bahrain-based trainer Allan Smith, Task Force will represent the U.K. and trainer Roger Varian, and the local Saudi Arabia challenge will be spearheaded by the Thamer Aldaihani-trained duo Uncle and Malyan.

Japan seeks repeat victory in Saudi Derby

Unbeaten Japan filly Myriad Love, trained by Koichi Shintani, headlines nominations for the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3), which was won last year by Yahagi’s Forever Young.

Yahagi is set to field Mistress this year with Happy Man and Shin Forever other likely Japan contenders.

Argentina Group 1 winner Guistino holds a nomination for UAE-based trainer Julio Olascoaga, with Golden Vekoma also a contender for UAE trainer Ahmad Harmash.

Chad Summers-trained Cyclone State is set to run with Ireland and the U.K. also holding nominations.

Spirit Dancer looks for Neom Turf repeat

Sir Alex Ferguson co-owned and Richard Fahey-trained Spirit Dancer, first in last year’s $2 million Neom Turf Cup (G2), returns to defend his victory.

The son of Frankel and his stablemate Persica, trained by Richard Hannon, is one of the two U.K. nominations for the 1 5/8-mile turf contest. Group 1 winner Al Riffa and Trustyourinstinct, who will represent Ireland trainer Joseph O’Brien, will join them.

Yoshito Yahagi-trained Shin Emperor, a third-place finisher in last season’s  Irish Champion Stakes (G1), is set to be joined by fellow Japan challenger Killer Ability, who is prepared by Takashi Saito.

They join Germany nomination Straight for trainer Marian Falk Weissmeier along with Hamad Al Jehani-trained Haunted Dream from Qatar and Sovereign Spirit from Bahrain, trained by Jaber Ramadhan.

Continuous goes for O’Brien in Red Sea Turf

Ireland master trainer Aidan O’Brien, who won last year’s $2.5 million Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2), sends 2023 St Leger (G1) victor Continuous (JPN) into this year’s renewal of the 1 7/8-mile race.

A strong representation from the U.K. features last year’s Epsom Derby (G1) fourth-place finisher Deira Mile (IRE), who is trained by Owen Burrows, as well as John and Thady Gosden-trained Royal Ascot winner Gregory and Al Nayyir for trainer Tom Clover.

Japan’s Byzantine Dream, Presage Nocturne from France and the UAE’s Trafalgar Square also are expected.