Saudi Cup 2023: U.K. bookmaker lists odds for 9 horses

Taiba and Country Grammer, both trained by Bob Baffert, werethe top two betting choices of one British bookmaker Wednesday evening for thismonth’s Group 1, $20 million Saudi Cup.

Among the nine potential starters listed by William HillU.K., three-time Grade 1 winner Taiba was the 2-1 futures favorite. CountryGrammer, who was runner-up in the race last year, was the 5-1 second choice.

Jun Light Bolt and Crown Pride, who finished 1-2 in thatorder Dec. 4 in the Champions Cup (G1) in Japan, were the third and fourthchoices at 8-1 and 12-1, respectively. Crown Pride, who won the 2022 UAE Derby (G2)at Meydan, finished 13th in the Kentucky Derby.

Café Pharoah, a Japan-based, 6-year-old horse by AmericanPharoah, and Scotland Yard, a former Steve Asmussen trainee who is 3-for-3 in SaudiArabia, were listed at 14-1.

Geoglyph, a turf horse who won the 2022 Satsuki Sho, orJapan guineas for 3-year-olds, and Panthalassa, runner-up in the autumn Tenno Shoin Tokyo, were showing at 16-1.

Vin de Garde, a 7-year-old Grade 2 winner on Japan turfbut unraced since June, was the 25-1 long shot at William Hill U.K.

Now in its fourth year, the Saudi Cup has a declarationdeadline of Feb. 21 for the connections of invited horses to accept theirentries. The post-position draw will be Feb. 22. The race will be run theevening of Feb. 25 at the King Abdulaziz Equestrian Field.