Saudi Crown

Saudi Crown got a bit of a late start to his career but came out running with back-to-back sprint wins in his April 2023 debut at Keeneland Race Course and an allowance race may 21 at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Brad Cox entered Saudi Crown in the Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes July 1 at Belmont Park and he came up a nose short to Fort Bragg after setting the pace in the one-mile race.

Making his next start in the $500,000, Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes presented by DK Horse July 29 at Saratoga Race Course, Saudi Crown set the pace in the 1 1/8-mile race and led into deep stretch before he was caught in the closing strides by 2022 champion 2-year-old male Forte.

Saudi Crown got the big win he was waiting for in his next start in the Grade 1 $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 23 at Parx.  Sent off as the even-money favorite on the tote board in an 11-horse field in the Pennsylvania Derby, Saudi Crown went right to the front and led the 1 1/8-mile race wire-to-wire to score by a half a length over a late-running Dreamlike. Subsequently, Saudi Crown finished off his 3-year-old campaign with a 10th place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

Saudi Crown returned for the start of his 4-year-old campaign with a wire-to-wire 5 3/4-length victory in the Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes on Jan. 20, 2024 at Fair Grounds. Subsequently, Saudi Crown shipped to Saudi Arabia for the running of the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 24 and finished third after leading much of the way.

Saudi Crown was bred in Kentucky by the sire Always Dreaming out of the mare New Narration by Tapit.