by Myra Lewyn

Multiple Grade 1 winner Premium Tap failed in his bid for a second consecutive victory in Saudi Arabia’s most significant race, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, finishing fourth to Argentine Group 1 winner Joe Louis on Friday at King Abdul Aziz racecourse in Riyadh.

Joe Louis, racing under the name Kharimes, won the 2,400-meter (11.93-furlong) race by three-quarters of a length from Shabel Almidaan. German Group 3 winner Omikron, racing as Aloqhuwan, finished third, a head in front of Premium Tap, who has raced as Allam since sons of Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz purchased him from American owners George Kline, Peter Alevizos, and David Whelihan.

Winner of the 2006 Clark Handicap (G1) and Woodward Stakes (G1), Premium Tap captured last year’s edition of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup by 2 3/4 lengths for former trainer John Kimmel in his first start in Saudi Arabia before finishing second, 1 3/4 lengths behind Horse of the Year Invasor (Arg) in the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1).

A six-year-old Pleasant Tap horse, Premium Tap is now trained by Julio Gardel, and was among 169 horses left eligible for the $6-million race on March 29 at Nad al Sheba at the first forfeit stage.

Joe Louis, a five-year-old by Lode owned by Prince Mohammed bin Saud al-Kabeer Sons, won his third consecutive race at King Abdul Aziz. He annexed the 2006 Gran Premio Two Thousand Guineas-Consagracion de Potrillos (Arg-G1) at San Isidro.

Myra Lewyn is daily news editor of Thoroughbred Times