The first-running of the Saudi Cup was an exciting one, with none other than Maximum Security edging out Midnight Bisou to claim the victory that came with some redemption.
The redemption aspect referring of course to his heart-breaking disqualification during the 2019 Kentucky Derby for obstructing the path of his competitors. He crossed the finish line first in the “Run for the Roses” but was denied the $2 million first-place prize.
On Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, his team more than made up for it in the richest horse race in history with jockey Luis Saez once again on board.
Trained by Jason Servis and owned by Gary and Mary West Stables Inc., the Maximum Security team claimed $10 million for victory.
If you live in Pennsylvania, you can bet the ponies at a number of off-track betting parlors (OTBs) as well as online at TVG’s PABets app, which offered action for the Saudi Cup.
Saudi Cup 2020 results and payouts
Maximum Security, a four-year-old Colt, was the heavy favorite to win the Saudi Cup. The second-place finisher, Midnight Bisou, started the day at 8/1.
Finishing in third place was Benbatl, a six-year-old British Thoroughbred who was coming off of two wins in 2020, both in Grade 2 stakes races. Here’s a look at the top ten finishers, all receiving a slice of the $20 million prize pool.
| Place | Name | Prize money |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Maximum Security | $10 million |
| 2nd | Midnight Bisou | $3.5 million |
| 3rd | Benbatl | $2 million |
| 4th | Mucho Gusto | $1.5 million |
| 5th | Tacitus | $1 million |
| 6th | Gold Dream | $600,000 |
| 7th | Chrysoberyl | $500,000 |
| 8th | Mjjack | $400,000 |
| 9th | Magic Wand | $300,000 |
| 10th | Gronkowski | $200,000 |
Past performances of Saudi Cup winners
Coming into the Saudi Cup, Maximum Security won seven of nine races. The two he didn’t win were the aforementioned Kentucky Derby and the race that followed, the Pegasus World Cup, in which he finished runner-up to King for a Day.
A mare bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds in Kentucky, the five-year-old Midnight Bisou was coming off of a second-place finish in the Longines Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita. Before that, she won seven in a row. As a three-year-old, Bisou won five stakes races.
We may soon be seeing more of Maximum Security and Benbatl – in the Dubai Cup on March 28. Both have a current status listed as “possible” at HorseRacingNation.
Check back often as we bring the latest on the biggest horse races you can bet on in Pennsylvania and beyond.
