Saudi Cup 2023 Picks: Country Grammer Comes Sharper This Year

Saudi Cup 2023 Picks: Country Grammer Comes Sharper This Year

Category : News - Fri 24/02/2023 - 06:53 EST

Though the Saudi Cup (G1) on Saturday, February 25 is one of the newest traditions in horse racing, it is also the richest. Its massive $20 million purse eclipses every other race on earth. And, though the race covers 1,800 meters (about 1 ⅛ miles) on dirt, it always draws a mix of proven dirt horses and classy turf horses ready to try something new in exchange for a huge payday.

This means the Saudi Cup is also one of the best horse betting opportunities of the entire year! Its three editions have proven a winner can come from anywhere: its winners include a proven American dirt horse, a British-based turf horse, and a Saudi local facing world-class foes for the first time ever. This means bettors can reap rich rewards!

Country Grammer To win the Saudi Cup
+350
BetOnline

Who has the best chance to win the race in 2023, and how should you bet the Saudi Cup online in New York?  Read on to find out!

Where to Bet the Saudi Cup

Before diving into the 2023 Saudi Cup field, it is important to create your account on a trusted online racebook that welcomes New York bettors. There are many options out there, but our expert horse betting site reviews will help you make a fast, confident decision. These sites all offer real Vegas odds, excellent user interfaces, and trustworthy deposits and cash-outs.

If you bet online, you also unlock racebook bonus offers that you will never find at the racetrack or OTB. These include sign-up and deposit bonuses, horse racing rebates, and even referral incentives. These can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in cash or free wagers, and our reviews can show you which ones pay the most based on your betting preferences!

Saudi Cup Horses

This is the official field for the 2023 Saudi Cup including betting numbers, post positions, trainers, jockeys, and morning lines:

  1. Panthalassa (Yoshito Yahagi / Yutaka Yoshida) - Betting Number 7
  2. Taiba (Bob Baffert / Mike Smith) - Betting Number 10
  3. Crown Pride (Koichi Shintani / Damian Lane) - Betting Number 3
  4. Scotland Yard (Moutaib Almulawah / Victor Gutierrez) - Betting Number 9
  5. Sunset Flash (Naif Almandeel / Aseel Alarhani) - Betting Number 13
  6. Jun Light Bolt (Yasuo Tomomichi / Ryan Moore) - Betting Number 6
  7. Remorse (Bhupat Seemar / Tadhg O’Shea) - Betting Number 8
  8. Emblem Road (Moutaib Almulawah / Alexis Moreno) - Betting Number 4
  9. Vin de Garde (Hideaki Fujiwara / Mickael Barzalona) - Betting Number 11
  10. Country Grammer (Bob Baffert / Frankie Dettori) - Betting Number 2
  11. Lagertha Rhyme (Naif Almandeel / Ricardo Ferreira) - Betting Number 12
  12. Geoglyph (Tetsuya Kimura / Christophe Lemaire) - Betting Number 5
  13. Cafe Pharoah (Noriyuki Hori / Joao Moreira) - Betting Number 1

Keep in mind that the betting numbers and post positions in Saudi Arabia differ; this is unlike New York or other tracks in North America, but common in the rest of the world.

The morning line issued by the track can be a guide to how horses are expected to be bet, but you are not guaranteed those odds. On-track odds fluctuate until the moment the gates fling open. On the other hand, online racebooks offer fixed-odds betting on major races. That means, when you see a great price on your pick, you can lock it in when you place your bet!

So, watch the Saudi Cup odds at your preferred online racebook, and make sure to place your wager when you see an overlay on a horse you like. That way, you can be confident that you have the best odds on your horse.

BovadaBetOnlineWagerWeb
Taiba+185+185+185
Country Grammer+350+350+350
Jun Light Bolt+800+800+800
Crown Pride+1200+1200+1200
Scotland Yard+1400+1400+1400
Emblem Road+1400+1400+1400
Cafe Pharoah+1400+1400+1400

Saudi Cup Handicapping

These are the keys to your wagers on the 2023 Saudi Cup:

Saudi Cup Contenders

The likely favorites in the Saudi Cup include the two United States shippers for Bob Baffert. Preferred among them is Country Grammer, second in this race last year. He should be fitter this time since he comes off a recent win instead of a long lay, he has already proven he handles the course, and his midpack style plays well over the cushioned King Abdulaziz dirt.

Country Grammer To win the Saudi Cup
+350
BetOnline

His stablemate Taiba has class and ran a credible third versus older in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year, but won’t have it easy near the lead with Crown Pride coming in as well, especially on a track that is so kind to horses coming off the pace. He may be a little sharp after going only seven furlongs last out, too. Though, a piece underneath would be no shock.

There is a significant Japanese contingent this year, with Jun Light Bolt carrying the best recent form of that group. However, short-priced Japanese shippers often don’t run to potential, especially on the dirt, making him rather questionable at the likely shorter price.

Saudi Cup Longshots

Last year Saudi local Emblem Road blew up the tote; obviously he can handle the course and distance but he’ll be much heavier bet this time and hasn’t had quite as much prep. More interesting among the locals is in-form Lagertha Rhyme. The extra 200m should help her turn the tables on Sunset Flash from last out, her stamina and smart late kick are enough to make her a fascinating contender in her most important local race.

Lagertha Rhyme To win the Saudi Cup
+4000
BetOnline

Scotland Yard is another in-form local worth considering. He has three straight wins headed into the Saudi Cup, including one over 2,000 meters last out. This 1,800-meter distance is perfect for this horse both given his form and his top-quality American dirt route breeding: by Quality Road out of a Curlin half to Beholder. Expect him to track the pace and get the jump on the real closers.

Among the Japanese contingent, Geoglyph fascinates going first-time dirt. This is obviously an attempt at a career reboot, but he’ll be a price and there are suggestions he will fit. He has strong dirt breeding (including Drefong on top), his turf form shows he has the stamina for 1,800 meters, and he should be the right price to include in exotics.

Saudi Cup Bets

You have created your online betting account and gotten to know the field. Now, it’s time for the best part of all: placing your wager! These are the expert bets for the 2023 Saudi Cup:

  • $20 to win - #2 Country Grammer
  • $10 each-way - #12 Lagertha Rhyme
  • $1 exacta key - #2 Country Grammer with #9 Scotland Yard, #12 Lagertha Rhyme
  • $0.50 trifecta key - #2 Country Grammer with #5 Geoglyph, #9 Scotland Yard, #12 Lagertha Rhyme
  • $0.20 superfecta key - #2 Country Grammer with #5 Geoglyph, #9 Scotland Yard, #10 Taiba, #12 Lagertha Rhyme
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