Race Recaps Port Lions Claims First Saudi Arabian Turf Race For Bahrain February 29, 2020 Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/Doug DeFelice Race Recaps Port Lions Claims First Saudi Arabian Turf Race For Bahrain February 29, 2020 By: Press Release email Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The $1,000,000 Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup was the first-ever turf race to be held at King Abdulaziz Racetrack and the top spot went to the Bahrain-based Port Lions for trainer Fawzi Nass. After missing the start, Port Lions had to settle with sitting in the back of the pack for the majority of the way around the pristine turf course. As the field turned for home, jockey Adrie de Vries expertly got the horse off the rail and up alongside Group 1-winning Japanese mare, Deirdre. The two charged down the track to eat away at the lead held by pacesetter For The Top, and at the 50m marker, the two had passed the front-runner, but it was the Irish-bred gelding Port Lions who got his head in front of Deirdre at the wire. It was a thrilling finish fit for a history-making race that will surely launch Saudi Arabia firmly into the centre of the turf racing world. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Quotes: Adrie de Vries, jockey, Port Lions, 1st: “This was fantastic, he has been full of confidence since Fawzi got him and he has improved every race. We came here a little bit underestimated I think but our only worry was the trip as it was the furthest he has ran. He missed the kick, I wanted to sit last but maybe not that far. He settled and he’s got a great kick. We almost hit the front too soon. It’s just amazing for the connections. The track is beautiful. I can’t believe in such a short time they were able to make it; it was a dream to ride on. It feels amazing to win. I knew we would run well but I wasn’t sure if we could beat the Japanese filly. It is just a great feeling.” Fawzi Nass, trainer, Port Lions: “It feels absolutely amazing to win the first turf race here in Saudi Arabia. Of course, we came here with some hope but to actually accomplish that is amazing. He missed the break quite badly, which didn’t help but obviously we know he’s got a very nice turn of foot. I wasn’t sure if he could do that from so far back off a slow pace but obviously he managed. He has just improved and improved. He’s a proper fast ground horse and has done very well since he came to Bahrain.” Oisin Murphy, jockey, Deirdre, 2nd: “No excuses. She jumped well, she travelled good. Everything went well except we didn’t win. We got into the right position and on form we would have won easily. It happens, sometimes. The track was very nice and I think they did a great job.” Mickael Barzalona, jockey, For The Top, 3rd: “He ran well. We made the trip in front and he picked up nicely. He’s going to be a far better horse. The turf has good footing. It looks to be pretty tight to the first bend so that’s why we went to the front today and it looks liked it worked, so we’ll keep trying it.” Rest of jockey quotes: Pierre-Charles Boudot, Intellogent, 4th: “He ran well. I had a good race on the rail. He quickened well, but we couldn’t get to the front. The track is perfect, very nice ground.” Billy Lee, Trais Fluors, 7th: “The trip might have just stretched him, he just got a bit tired at the end, but it wasn’t a bad run.” Edgar Yanguez, Imagen de Roma, 8th: “I had a good race. Everything was going well, but he weakened in the final 400 metres. The track is very nice.”
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More