Saudi Cup: It's ‘King Kong versus Godzilla’ says Baffert

Bob Baffert has likened taking on Forever Young in the Saudi Cup with his two runners Nysos and Nevada Beach as being similar to “King Kong versus Godzilla”.

American training legend Baffert has sent some crack dirt  performers to this race since its inception and while he has come close several times, has yet to succeed.

However, he has stated that Nysos, the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner, could be the best of them.

“You are just hoping that when they turn for home that they are running and for me hopefully it’s going to be Nysos, and Nevada Beach is right there too, with Forever Young – King Kong versus Godzilla,” Baffert said.

“I have brought good horses here but I think Nysos, hopefully, is the best.”

Forever Young is unbeaten in Riyadh having won the Saudi Derby and this corresponding race 12 month ago, where he denied Romantic Warrior in a race for the ages. Add in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and he is a true global star.

“Forever Young, he’s a unicorn,” said Baffert.

“I have so much respect for that horse. What he did as a three-year-old – to win in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and come to the (Kentucky) Derby and go so close… that is just unheard of, you know, a horse shipping that much. Credit to his trainer, his jockey and his staff, he’s an incredible horse.

“These races are supposed to be tough and bring the best horses here so we are here. If you were to win it, it would be nice to be here and enjoy it.”

Forever Young’s trainer Yoshito Yahagi is a regular presence at all the major race meetings these days but feels this could be his star’s final Saudi outing.

“Maybe this is going to be Forever Young’s last time to be able to compete in the Saudi Cup, so we will do our best to bring his full potential,” Yahagi said.

“This year also has a strong line-up but the most important thing is to do my job and bring his best potential.”

Oisin Murphy has always had a strong link with racing in Japan and he has come in for the ride on Sunrise Zipangu, trained by Kyoko Maekawa, the first woman to be granted a licence to train in the country.

“I expect a good result with Sunrise Zipangu,” Maekawa said.

“We prepared him well in Japan. Then we came here and he needs a bit of adjusting to maintain his condition but he breezed well and I expect a lot from him.”