The Post Position Draw function took place at the Cultural Center at King Abdulaziz Racecourse to a huge international audience and dignitaries. 

The inside draws are considered a no go and the Breeders' Cup champ, White Abarrio, drew that number however trainer Rick Dutrow brushed it off. He mentioned that the polo eating grey had enough today and will feed him more tonight post the function. 

The Japanese are all the rage with champion dirt horse Lemon Pop in town, he won both JRA Grade 1 dirt races, the only two at the level on that circuit. He drew 3. The draws and reactions are here. 

Carmel Road (USA) - Gate 14

Abdullah Albadah, trainer: "I’m happy. He’s in good form, working well in the morning. Tough race, first time he’s run 1800m, hopefully he’ll run well."

Crown Pride (JPN) - 6

Masafumi Matsuda, assistant trainer: "He's a versatile type of horse and can race form any position. It's the best draw for him"

Defunded (USA) - 9

Khalid bin Mishref, racing manager: "It was a good move from us to bring him early to Saudi Arabia, he’s acclimatised very well. We’re hoping that he’s capable to compete against those great horses."

Derma Sotogake (JPN) - 13

Manari Tanaka, representative: "I think he has improved since the Breeders’ Cup."

Hoist the Gold (USA) - 8

Dallas Stewart, trainer: "That’s the same number that Winning Colors [who he rode as an exercise rider] had when she won the Kentucky Derby [in 1988]. He travels well, he’s been to California three times, he went to New York, he looks terrific and is handling the track good."

Isolate (USA) - 2

Doug Watson, trainer: "We wanted to be drawn 1 through 9 so we’ll take it."

Lemon Pop (USA) - 3

Harry Sweeney, of owners Godolphin: "We’ve enormous confidence in our jockey, in our last race we drew the very outside and a horse had never won from that position before. Lemon Pop overcame those odds. He’s going to have to do it again but we’ll see how it goes. It’s a big ask for Lemon Pop, we’re respectful of all."

Meisho Hario (JPN) - 12

Inao Okada, trainer: "The draw is not a big concern. He can race from any position."

National Treasure (USA) - 7

Jimmy Barnes, assistant trainer to Bob Baffert: "He’s got better and better, he’s beginning to put races together, he’s really matured and loves it here. Flavien Prat [jockey] will give him a good trip and that’s all you can ask for."

Power In Numbers (USA) - 10

Ahmed Mohamoud, trainer. "Very happy. It’s the last number but we hope it will be the lucky number for us."

Saudi Crown (USA) - 5

Faisal Al Qahtani, owner: "Very happy."

Senor Buscador (USA) - 4

Joe Peacock, jnr, owner: "He’s been training great, he’s training really well and the team have done a marvellous job. They were patient, he’s showing up to prove everything we wanted him to be. We’re having a fabulous time."

Ushba Tesoro (JPN) - 11

Shogo Hirose, owner’s representative: "Good to get."

White Abarrio (USA) - 1

Rick Dutrow, trainer: "He had the two-hole last time, this can’t be a problem. We’ve got the best rider, one of the best horses. It’ll be fun. We’ll be ready. He really takes my breath away every time I see him."