After a tough week in which trainer Bob Baffert saw the disqualification of Medina Spirit from the Kentucky Derby, followed by a denial by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to stay his suspension, the Hall of Fame trainer showed his continued impact in the sport by picking up a win in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby and a strong second in the $20 million Saudi Cup.
Saudi-based horse Emblem Road was the surprise winner of the world's richest race at the King Adbulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, with a late charge on the outside to beat Baffert's Country Grammer by about half a length. Emblem Road paid $229.20 to win in U.S. betting pools. Gambling is not allowed in Saudi Arabia.
Country Grammer, running after a 270-day layoff, was in a fierce stretch battle with Steve Asmussen's Midnight Bourbon when Emblem Road snuck by on the far outside. Midnight Bourbon finished third.
