Ron the Greek Shoots for King’s Cup

Ron the Greek (Full Mandate), the three-time American Grade I winner now raced in Saudi Arabia as Wattani, should prove the one to beat in Saturday’s The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (King’s Cup), the country’s most prestigious race for Thoroughbreds. 

A seven-time stakes winner in the U.S., the strapping 8-year-old won the GI Santa Anita H. and GI Stephen Foster H. in 2012 and added the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup the next season for the Brous Stable, Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber and breeder Jack Hammer before being sold to race in Saudi Arabia. Winner of his local debut last February, he was 12th in the G1 Dubai World Cup, but carries a three-race winning streak into today’s race, including the Crown Prince Cup over 2400 meters Jan. 3. A strong performance would in all likelihood earn Ron the Greek a return trip to Meydan, where the World Cup returns to a dirt surface for this running. 

Jose Lezcano is in to ride Ron the Greek, one of several international jockeys with mounts in the King’s Cup. Also in to ride are Frankie Dettori, Mickael Barzalona, Olivier Peslier, Joel Rosario and Christophe Soumillon. Post time for the King’s Cup is 11:05 a.m. ET.