Mishriff Overpowers America’s Best In Saudi Cup

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Prince Faisal’s Mishriff overpowered several of the best dirt males America has to offer, striking to the lead late to win Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack.

Mishriff broke from the barriers under David Egan at 19/1 stateside odds and settled into a close stalking position in third. The 4/5 favorite Charlatan outkicked fellow American Knicks Go (3/2) for the early lead.

Knicks Go slid up inside of Charlatan and challenged him through the far turn, but Charlatan began pulling away again at the top of the stretch. As he did, Mishriff ranged up to meet Charlatan’s throat latch midway home.

With Charlatan weakening along the rail late, the John Gosden-trained Mishriff pulled ahead to win the 1 1/8-mile tour over fast dirt by 1 length in 1:49.59.

Charlatan 6 1/2 lengths clear of longshot Great Scot in third, while Knicks Go faded to fourth ahead of Sleepy Eyes Todd; the two were last seen finishing first and fourth, respectively, in the Pegasus World Cup (G1).

Military Law, Tacitus, Bangkok, Chuwa Wizard, Derevo, Max Player, Global Giant, Extra Elusive, and Simsir completed the order of finish.

Mishriff’s win was his first on dirt and came in his second try; he was runner-up in last year’s Saudi Derby, held on the Saudi Cup undercard, and now sports an overall record of 9-5-1-1. The Irish-bred 4-year-old Make Believe colt won last year’s French Derby (G1) and Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (G2) on turf, giving his world-class trainer plenty of options for his 2021 campaign.

Mishriff returned $41.60 to win, $12.80 to place, and $6.40 to show. Charlatan brought back $3 to place and $2.40 to show. Great Scot paid $27.40 to show.