Trainer Brad Cox is uncertain about whether he will start Saudi Crown in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, as the $20 million Saudi Cup remains the main goal for the 5-year-old. Saudi Crown recently won the listed Tenacious Stakes at Fair Grounds after a disappointing 13th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Cox moved Saudi Crown to Payson Park for training and will decide on the Pegasus based on how the horse performs in upcoming workouts.

Saudi Crown, a son of Always Dreaming, will have a workout at Payson Park on Saturday to help determine his next steps. Cox is considering whether Saudi Crown should have another race before the Saudi Cup and is also monitoring how the field shapes up for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational. Last year, Saudi Crown won the Louisiana Stakes before finishing third in the Saudi Cup, showing potential for success in top-level races.

Cox had initially considered running Saudi Crown in the Cigar Mile after the Breeders’ Cup but opted for the Tenacious Stakes at Fair Grounds to assess the horse’s form. Saudi Crown’s strong performance in that race has opened up possibilities for the Pegasus and other upcoming races, with Cox emphasizing that the horse’s performance in workouts will guide their decision-making process.