Saturday, January 26 features the richest horse race in the world: the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1)! Run at 1,800 meters (about 1 ⅛ miles) over a real dirt track at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, the race has drawn a field of 14 of the best horses in the world. Some are well proven on dirt; others are trying it for the first time. No matter what, it will be a thrill!
The Saudi Cup is one of the newest races on the calendar, as it was first run in 2020 and first got international Group 1 designation this year. Proven American dirt runner Maximum Security crossed the wire first in 2020; in 2021, British turf runner Mishriff proved he was just as classy on a dirt course.
Will Mishriff repeat, or will a star like Mandaloun, T O Keynes, Sealiway, or Marche Lorraine steal the crown? Read on to find out, and to see where to get the best Las Vegas odds on the Saudi Cup!
This is the official field for the 2022 Saudi Cup in wagering number order, with trainers, jockeys, and post draws.
With a fourteen-horse field, the Saudi Cup stands to be an excellent betting race! Our recommended online betting sites will be offering true Vegas odds on the race, that you can lock in the moment you wager. This is the time to make your account, dive in, and get ready to cash in on the richest horse race of the year!
[table of odds]
You no longer have to travel to Las Vegas, or to a casino, to lock in real Vegas odds when you bet the horse races. Online sportsbooks put Vegas into the palm of your hand, giving you the best available odds from anywhere with an internet connection!
Though there are many choices for online sportsbooks, our experts make it easy to choose the most profitable option. Our guide to online sportsbooks gives you everything you need to choose the right one. They all have great interfaces and trusted money management options, and our experts will help you find the bonuses that will build your bankroll fastest based on the way you bet!
Get to know the best places for Vegas betting online:
| Horse |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Mishriff | +400 | +410 |
| Mandaloun | +650 | +675 |
| T O Keynes | +900 | +950 |
| Art Collector | +1000 | +1000 |
| Midnight Bourbon | +1100 | +1100 |
With your account set up, it is time to pick a winner in the 2022 Saudi Cup. Read on to find out about the top contenders!
The horse to beat in the 2022 Saudi Cup is Mandaloun. Coming off a victory over Midnight Bourbon in the Louisiana (G3), he is in strong form. He has tactical speed, a strong record at a mile and an eighth, and the ability to run well at many different racetracks. Furthermore, his owners are the Saudi interest Juddmonte, giving him extra reason to be tuned for this particular spot.
If you are interested in betting a live longshot instead, Art Collector is the most interesting of the spoilers. He is a perfect five-for-five at a mile and an eighth, meaning 1,800 meters should be perfect. He has the tactical speed to work out a good trip, and his jockey Luis Saez is already a Saudi Cup winner two years ago.
Mishriff, the winner last year, does have a chance to repeat. The far-outside post may be tough. But, he has proven he can handle the course, he has excellent tactical versatility, and he proved last year that he could come back from an equally long layoff to show world-class form.
Though Midnight Bourbon will almost certainly take a lot of money in the win pool, he tends to get run down by at least one horse even if he gets the early lead, a trip he will probably work out in the Saudi Cup. Even at a mile and an eighth, so close to the Saudi Cup distance, he has three underneath finishes but no wins. Use him in exotics, but leave him out of your win wagers.
A pair of longer shots have a great chance to get the exotics to pay big money.
Emblem Road is never the fastest horse out of the starting gate, but he is always coming on strong down the lane. He has won three straight, including two at King Abdulaziz. Though he hasn’t tried 1,800 meters yet, his American middle-to-Classic-distance breeding should carry him home. He looks like a prime candidate for the longshot hometown horse who outruns his odds.
T O Keynes is the better of the Japanese pair. He rose to prominence last year with four wins in five starts, including both the Champions Cup (G1) and another race earlier in the year where he soundly defeated Marche Lorraine, the other Japanese contender in the Saudi Cup. Japanese globetrotters are having a moment, and T O Keynes is in the form to continue that trend.
These are the best bets for the 2022 Saudi Cup!
