RIYADH: Legendary American trainer Kenny McPeek has chosen multiple Saudi Arabian Champion Jockey Adel Alfouraidi to team up with his Very Connected (US) in the group three Saudi Derby presented by ZOOD Realty at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday Feb. 14.
The Kentucky Derby-winning handler decided to go with the local knowledge and expertise of Alfouraidi, according to a recent release.
McPeek, who recently starred in the hit Netflix horseracing documentary, “Race For The Crown,” said: “I offered the ride to Joel Rosario but he already had a ride, so I offered it to (Jose) Ortiz but his Saudi Cup mount scratched and he isn’t going now.
“So I didn’t know who to use and was fiddling around looking at options.”
McPeek, a multiple grade one-winning trainer, added: “I didn’t know if it was best to use a rider who knows the track and the conformation there, or use a rider who knows the horse, and I decided to find a local rider.”
“Adel is the leading rider there and has been champion jockey. He’s a young gun, has talent, knows the place and has got two weeks to get to know the horse too.
“I have told him to get familiarized with Very Connected. He can go and see him any time and my staff will look after him and he will ride work on him, then he can go and do his thing in the race itself.
“I wasn’t sure which jockeys would be coming from the US and this way I don’t have a worry about a jockey getting off a long flight and travelling internationally.”
Very Connected is a son of Connect (US), whose one win in six starts came in a Churchill maiden and was last seen running fifth in the Listed Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds in December.
Of the horse’s Saudi Derby claims, McPeek said: “He is an outside chance. He needs early pace and he should get it. The longer stretch will suit him and if he gets pace in the first part of the race he will be running on late.”
The winner of the Saudi Derby will earn 30 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
McPeek will be represented once again in The Saudi Cup with Rattle N Roll (US), another son of Connect, and the Lexington-based handler has reasons to believe he can improve on last year’s fifth-place finish behind Forever Young (JPN).
On that occasion Rattle N Roll, who is part owned by Saudi Arabia businessman Sharaf Al-Hariri, qualified by winning The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup a month earlier.
This time he will have had a nine-week spell after taking the Listed Tinsel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Dec. 12, 2025.
“I think he will run much better and behind Forever Young it is a wide-open race,” added McPeek.
“If Forever Young doesn’t run his best then it won’t be a surprise to see him run really well as I have never had him better and I am excited. His races are spaced out better this year, he’s a hard knocker and he holds his form well.”
McPeek is unsure if he will make the journey on this occasion after recent surgery to his neck and back.
He added: “I really enjoyed my visit last year but I don’t think I can make it this time. The people were so kind and generous and it was a great experience.”
