El Kodigo Aiming to Crack Saudi Cup Code for Buenos Airés-Based Jockey

Intense For Me and El Kodigo First Argentine Bred Runners to Conest World’s Richest Race

Image:El Kodigo, now under local ownership will contest The Saudi Cup

Credit: Turf Diario / Juan I Bozzello

South American rider Gustavo Calvente has nominated the drop to 1800 metres as the only potential negative for Argentinean star El Kodigo (ARG) when he tackles the Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on February 22.

Recognized as the top dirt horse in his homeland, El Kodigo is a multiple Group 1 winner over longer distances and has been purchased from Stud Juan Antonio to race in Saudi Arabia for Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb.

The local owner has also snapped up El Kodigo’s Argentinean rival, Intense For Me (ARG), and will field three runners in the world’s richest race with recent UK Cup winner Defunded (USA) also in the $20 million Group 1.

“El Kodigo is the best horse I’ve ever ridden,” said Calvente. “No one expected a few days ago that he would be running in such an important race, but here we are – getting ready for the challenge. He’s full of class and I trust he’ll overcome any obstacles.

“The drop back in distance is my only worry – he’s coming off a win in the Ramírez in Uruguay at 2400 meters.

“As a juvenile he won the Group 1 Polla de Potrillos at 1600 metres, so he has speed, but he’s been conditioned for longer trips. It’ll come down to using his turn of foot and hoping for a fast pace, and with Laurel River (USA) in the mix, that seems guaranteed.”

The four-year-old will renew rivalry with Intense For Me who edged him out at the wire in the most recent renewalof the Group 1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini in December.

“El Kodigo has an exceptional record with five Group 1 victories, but this is a whole new level,” Calvente continued. “I’m anxious for the moment to arrive and I trust he’ll rise to the occasion. I’ve been studying the competition in Saudi Arabia, and Forever Young (JPN) looks outstanding.

“The prospect of a fast pace gives me confidence. My only hope is that he handles the travel well, as he usually does, but this is a long trip with limited time to acclimate.”

Calvente will be returning to Saudi Arabia on the back of Miriñaque’s (ARG) respectable seventh-place finish in the 2021 Red Sea Turf Handicap.

“It was a dream week with Miriñaque, an unforgettable experience,” added the Buenos Airés-based jockey.

“Although we competed on turf, we trained on dirt, and the surface there is ideal for El Kodigo—a bit deeper than ours but with good grip. It’s more like Maroñas than Palermo, and he’s excelled on both.

“It’s an honour for our team to take South America’s best dirt horse to compete against the world’s elite in Saudi Arabia.

“No Argentine horse has run in the Saudi Cup before, and now there will be two of us. It’s a huge source of pride.”

ENDS