After setting North America on fire with his riding in recent years, Irad Ortiz Jr. took his hot-riding ways to King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Saudi Arabia Feb. 29 and came away with a victory aboard New York Central in the SAUDIA Sprint. Source

Maximum Security proved his class on the world stage Feb. 29 in the $20 million Saudi Cup, running down Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) winner Mucho Gusto and holding off multiple grade 1 winner Midnight Bisou to prevail. Source

Shooting Star Thoroughbreds’ Chance It was scratched Feb. 29 from the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), the day’s feature at Gulfstream Park. Source

Call The Wind stormed to the front at mid-stretch and rolled home first by 2 1/2 lengths in the $2.5 million Longines Turf Handicap at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 29, capping the first day of grass racing in Saudi Arabia. Source

Undefeated Crossfirehurricane picked up 20 points on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby Feb. 28 with a half-length score in the Woodford Reserve Patton Stakes on the synthetic surface at Dundalk Racecourse. Source

The 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1) victory led to the greatest year of Prat’s career. His mounts earned more than $19.6 million in purses, and he won at his highest rate for a full season (23%) and took down 19 graded stakes, including six grade 1s. Source

A memo distributed by the CHRB Feb. 27 announcing strict pre-race treatment restrictions of horses at the state’s racetracks, effective March 1, was met with surprise and hostility from many of the region’s trainers, according to Eoin Harty. Source