Straight No Chaser wins $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint
Straight No Chaser, a 6-year-old gelding trained by Dan Blacker, claimed victory in the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Saturday at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With jockey John Velazquez aboard, Straight No Chaser powered home to win the Group 2 race after holding off a strong challenge from the Japanese sprinter, Jasper Krone.
The race saw Straight No Chaser engage in a thrilling battle with Krone, who initially took the lead, but the American contender steadily asserted himself down the stretch. Straight No Chaser demonstrated impressive strength and control, despite the pressure from his rival. The victory earns the gelding a fees-paid spot in the 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, a prestigious race he won in 2024.
Muqtahem, representing Saudi Arabia, finished second, while Japan's Gabby's Sister placed third. Straight No Chaser, who was sold for $110,000 as a 2-year-old, has now accumulated $2.6 million in career earnings. His victory continues his successful campaign, which includes an outstanding record of 11 wins from 13 starts.
HOW IMPRESSIVE WAS STRAIGHT NO CHASER?!?!
He did not mess around in the $2,000,000 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) at @TheSaudiCup. @dan_blacker trains the @MyRacehorse stallion. @ljlmvel piloted him perfectly. Congrats to all the connections!
Play the next: https://t.co/ebKi95dING pic.twitter.com/dvbN7cO4Z7 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 22, 2025
The Riyadh Dirt Sprint was part of the Saudi Cup festival, which serves as an automatic qualifier for the Breeders' Cup events. This year's festival features top international contenders, with the $20 million Saudi Cup also offering a Breeders' Cup Classic berth. The event exemplifies the growing synergy between global racing events, with Breeders' Cup's expanded presence in Saudi Arabia marking an exciting new chapter in international competition.
As the 2025 Breeders' Cup nears, Straight No Chaser's victory cements his status as one of the top sprinters in the world, with much anticipation surrounding his future performances.
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