Japan’s Triple Crown will travel to Tokyo on May 29 for the second leg, Tokyo Yushun (Japan Derby, G1), and most of the opponents from the first event are back to try it out.
The only pony in the 18-year-old field with a real chance for the crown is Geoglyphswinner Satsuki Sho (Two thousand Japanese Guineas, G1) at Nakayama on April 17 Drefong colt used a late explosive pace to win 2,000 meters (about a quarter of a mile) over a steady friend feces to still qualify for the three-race sweep.
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But he certainly didn’t scare anyone as the six who had finished right behind him in a horde all returned. In total, 11 of the 18 who started from Nakayama returned.
The tough story about hurdles is Equinox. The Black Kitasan colt drew port number 18 in Satsuki Sho and it may have cost him the win when he took the lead late in the last round when Geoglyph blew away. He redrawn the number 18 for the Tokyo heat.
The next five finishers from Nakayama, the quest takers are Do DeuceAsahi Hai Futurity (G1) winner 2021; Danon Belugathe winner of his previous two starts; Ask more Victorwho defeated Do Deuce in a high school competition in March; Onyankopon; and Justin Rock.
Equinox starts for the fourth time. He won twice as a 2-year-old, both times in the 1,800 meters (about 1/8 mile). His affiliations say they are not worried about him failing to keep the lead in Satsuki Sho while moving up to 2,400 meters (about a mile and a half) of Derby.
Equinox gallops back after second run in Satsuki Sho at Nakayama
Coach Tetsuya Kimura said: “He has kept his condition since the last race and he would probably be better off running like that. “It’s the same with stable friend Geoglyph, but with Equinox, equestrian Christophe Lemaire has just put him through his paces.
“I don’t see a problem with the 2,400 meters in Tokyo because he produced a good result on the track.”
The foal, bred by Northern Farm, races under the control of Silk Racing Co. with the color of blue and red dots.
Geoglyph, also bred by Northern Farm but bearing the colors of Sunday Racing, is also not favored by the lottery gods, landing gate number 15 is for equestrian Yuichi Fukunaga.
Fukunaga said of Geoglyph: “The staff at the ranch and stables have kept him in excellent condition. “It’s important to see how the track goes on the day. He’s a talented horse so it shouldn’t be difficult for him to adjust to 2,400 metres.”
Yutaka rides Do Deuce, whose victory at Asahi Hai Futurity brought him the highest 2-year-old title.
“He has a good racing feel and I don’t think the condition of the field is important,” Take said. “I’m always chasing him so I can see him grow, even if he’s good enough to be a 2-year-old champion. He has a lot of potential, so even at a high level. hey, he’s got to get a chance.”
The race starts at the midpoint of the track, continues left-handed around both turns of the Tokyo Circuit layout, and requires a little later effort to negotiate an ascent through the tracks final.
The Triple Crown series ended with Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, G1) at 3,000 meters (approximately 1 7/8 miles) at Hanshin Racecourse on October 23. There have been eight Triple Crown winners in history. Japanese racing, most recently Opposite in 2020.
In the 2021 Derby, Shahryar rim Efforia in a classic finish. Shahryar went on to win the Japan Cup (G1) in November and started his 2022 season with a win in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T) while Efforia won Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) and Arima Kinen (G1) later in the year and was named Japan’s Horse of the Year 2021.
