In a thrilling finish, Kentucky-bred Senor Buscador rallied relentlessly in the stretch to win the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, Feb. 24. Owned by Sharaf Mohammed Al Hariri & Joe Peacock Jr. and bred in Kentucky by Joe Peacock Sr. and Joe Peacock Jr., Senor Buscador pocketed the $10 million winner’s share in the world’s richest race. All told, Kentucky-breds won $14.2 million of the race’s $20 million purse.
Racing toward the back of the pack early, Senor Buscador hit his best in the lane of the 1 1/8-mile dirt fixture. Ridden by Junior Alvarado, Senor Buscador ran down Usba Tesoro (JPN) in the closing strides to prevail narrowly at the finish. Kentucky-bred pacesetter Saudi Crown finished a close third and was followed by Kentucky-bred National Treasure in fourth. Conditioned by Todd Fincher, Senor Buscador covered the distance in 1:49.50, setting a new stakes record.
“He always runs good, always runs hard,” winning trainer Todd Fincher said following the race. “He always has 10 or 11 horses to weave in and out of, and pace and all of that. We knew he was going to run good. We just had to hope for the right set up, and we got it. It’s awesome.”
A 6-year-old son of Mineshaft, Senor Buscador is produced from the Desert God mare Rose’s Desert. Runner-up to National Treasure in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. (G1) in his previous start, Senor Buscador owns victories in the 2023 San Diego H. (G2) at Del Mar and the 2022 Ack Ack S. (G3) at Churchill Downs.