The Ken McPeek-trained Rattle n Roll (Connect) had beaten just one horse for the first six furlongs of Saturday's $400,000 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (King's Cup), a race with first-place Group 3 status and the winner a guaranteed place in the field for one Guaranteed spot for The $20 million G1 Saudi Cup in four weeks below.
Ridden calmly by Joel Rosario, who had previously won the Riyadh-Dirt Sprint Qualifier for Jimmy Jerkens aboard Ancestral Land (GB) (Sioux Nation)-conditioned EJ won the cup (Omaha Beach) laid a path up front under Mike Smith. Rattle N Roll found his best stride in the top stretch and was steered inside by Rosario and slalomed his way home to a very impressive 4 3/4 length victory, largely scored against the track profile.
Wait for Excel (UK) (Moved {ire}) and Wootton'sun (Fri) (Wootton Bassett (GB}) rounded off an excellent afternoon for Prince Faisal's red stable in second and third place. In addition to the aforementioned ancestral land, Prince Faisal's colors were also carried on Ameerat Alzamaan (GB) (Ghaiyyath {IRE}), who took her records to three to three in the “1000 Guineas”, a 1600m conditions test, which could lead to a start in the G3 Saudi derby lead The derby qualifier itself was taken out by Mhalally (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev).
On Friday, Malyan (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}) took out the turf sprint qualifier, while Bolide Porto (IRE) (Le Havre {IRE}) took out the listed Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup, course and preparation for The G2 Neom Turf Next month's cup.
Rattle N Roll, the last winner of the GII-Clark Stakes in November and a Grade I winner at two years antique, was campaigned by Lucky Seven Stables but carried the silks of Saudi businessman Sharaf Mohamad Alhairi, the same gentleman who owned Senor Buscador ( Mineshaft) rented (Mineshaft) before his victory in last year's Saudi Cup.
Jazz Tune is a half-sister to the stakes winner (Tale of the Cat) and is also responsible for the 3-year-old Donegal colt Map (Liam's Map), who was started once in three careers. A 2-year-old colt by Quality Road and a yearling by Epicenter that was repurchased at the recently concluded Keeneland January Sale with a bid of $95,000. The mare is back at Epicenter for her 2025 foal.
Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (King's Cup) (KSA-G1) (Saudi Cup 2025 Qualifier) -G3SAR1,500,000 (£323,850/$399,900), King Abdulaziz, 1-25, 4YO/Up, 1800m, 1:52.95, ft.
1–Rattle n Roll, 128, H, 6, by Connect
1. Dam: Jazz melody from Johannesburg
2. Dam: Rap and Dance, by Pleasant Tap
3. Dam: Dance Review, by Northern Dancer
($55,000 WLG '19 Keenov; $210,000 YLG '20 Keesep). O-lucky seven stable & Sharaf Mohamed Alhairi; B-St Simon Place (KY); T Ken McPeek; J Joel Rosario; SAR750,000. Lifetime record: Gisw-US, 24-10-2-3, $.2,341,591 Werk Nick Rating: A +++ *Triple Plus *. Click for that Enicks Report & 5-Cross Pedigree or the free EquineLine.com Catalog style pedigree.
2–Wait for Excel (UK)128, H, 6, postponed (IRE) -Al Baidaa (GB), by crossing and excel (AUS). 1. Black type, 1. Black type group. (35.00GNS HRA '23 TATUT). O-Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin A/Aziz; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Narrow; Tt Aldaihani; JN Almudaini; SAR300.0
3–Wootton'sun (Fri)128, G, 6, Wootton Bassett (GB) – Sous le Soleil, by Tizway. 1. Group Black type. (€75,000 WLG '19 ARQDEC; 100,000 g ylg '20 tatowct; €80,000 HRA '22 Arqau; 170,000 gns hra '23 Tataut). O-Prince Faisal bin Khald bin A/Aziz; Bra VIALON; Ta M al Kahtani; Yes alsarhani; SAR225,000.
Margins: 4 3/4, NK, 1 1/4.
Also lan rann , Ajwadi (GB), Badr, from the map, electricity in numbers, raaed (ire). Scratch: Defunded, Haqeet, Alia, Royal Mews (FR).
