[SBR Drew]

Champion 3-year-old Maximum Security will be joined by a pair of Bob Baffert trainees, McKinzie and the recent Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner Mucho Gusto. The 5-year-old mare Midnight Bisou is confirmed along with Juddmonte Farms homebred Tacitus and Gift Box, a dominant, repeat winner of Santa Anita Park's San Antonio Stakes (G2) in his most-recent start.

The internationals hail from three continents, with the globetrotting mare Magic Wand representing Europe; Benbatl and Gronkowski hailing from Dubai; and Chrysoberyl and Gold Dream entering from Japan.

Thursday's Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (G2) at Meydan is expected to include both of the Dubai-based runners. Godolphin's Benbatl will make the race his dirt debut, while Gronkowki will run second off the bench after a runner-up performance in the 2019 Dubai World Cup (G1). Post time is 11:50 a.m. ET.

This Saudi Cup field was whittled down from 140 nominations, with horses prioritized based on ratings set by an in-house handicapper. It appears race officials went with quality over quantity, as they could have invited as many as 14 runners to the main event.

Purses on Saudi Cup day will total $29.2 million. Among the other features expected to attract American entries are a $1.5 million dirt sprint and $1 million dash on a turf course newly installed for the program.

Saudi Cup day races will run Lasix-free.

[SBR Drew]

The inaugural $29.2-million Saudi Cup card at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Feb. 29 drew 66 runners from overseas, including 21 Group/Grade 1 winners, HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, Chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, announced on Wednesday. The full list

of runners for the eight-race Saturday card have won a combined 32 top-level races.

[SBR Drew]

The highlight of the 2100-metre $1-million Neom Turf Cup is MG1SW

Deirdre (Jpn)

(Harbinger {GB}), who won the 2019 G1 Nassau S. in England for Mitsuru Hashida, while American speedballs

Imperial Hint

(Imperialism) and

Shancelot

(Shanghai Bobby) face each other in the $1.5-million Saudia Sprint over 1200 metres on the main track. In the $2.5-million Longines Turf H., 2018 G1 Melbourne Cup victor

Cross Counter (GB)

(Teofilo {Ire}) lines up versus French Group 1 winner

Call The Wind (GB)

(Frankel {GB}).

[trytrytry]

incredible fields and event for horse racing we sure needed a bump after a disaster of a year in North American racing last year for the spot. we shall see what new international events bring for good press, stories races, payouts etc.

[SBR Drew]