The Japan Highway to the Kentucky Derby took a sideways flip Dec. 11 as a filly, Myriad Love, scored her third win with out loss within the sequence’ second leg, the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun, at Kawasaki Racecourse.
Myriad Love earned 20 factors to leap to the highest of the leaderboard. Pure Rise, winner of the primary race, completed fourth within the Zen-Nippon, including 4 factors to his earlier 10 to face in second place.
Collection newcomers Glad Man and Soldier Area have been second and third within the Zen-Nippon, incomes 10 and 6 factors, respectively.
The sequence presents a assured spot within the Kentucky Derby (G1) beginning gate to the horse with probably the most factors. Fillies will not be excluded however the guidelines specify connections might choose to make use of the invitation as a substitute for the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Myriad Love thrashed 9 colts and one different filly pretty comprehensively within the Zen-Nippon. After monitoring in second place down the backstretch, jockey Atsuya Nishimura easily moved her to the lead turning for dwelling exiting the left-handed flip and she or he rapidly opened a giant benefit.
Glad Man was closing late however fell three-quarters of a size brief as Myriad Love completed the 1,600 meters (about one mile) on a quick monitor in 1:42.4.
“I used to be not very a lot certain if the space fits her,” Nishimura stated, “nevertheless it proved that it was an pointless fear. She had a really robust run immediately. I settled her in order that she would chill out within the early going however she had an excellent response. Then I let her run the best way she needed to run, and it labored nicely.”
Myriad Love is a daughter of New Yr’s Day , a son of Avenue Cry who received the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in simply his third—and, due to a sesamoid chip, last—profession begin. Her dam, Ladybird, is by Sensible Falcon, a grandson of Sunday Silence.
She received at first asking on the Chukyo Racecourse grime Sept. 16 going 1,400 meters (about seven furlongs) and backed that up with a victory within the listed Edelweiss Sho at Mombetsu at 1,200 meters (about six furlongs).
Neither proprietor nor coach commented on the potential for shifting ahead via the sequence however Nishimura, understandably, was enthusiastic.
“She is a superb horse and she or he has lots we look ahead to,” he stated. “I would love her to be like Endlessly Younger,” third-place finisher on this 12 months’s Kentucky Derby.
Eight horses based mostly in Japan have run within the Derby. Endlessly Younger and T O Password , who certified via the 2023-24 Highway to the Kentucky Derby sequence and completed fifth at Churchill Downs, have been probably the most profitable.
The sequence strikes on to the Hyacinth Stakes Feb. 16 at Tokyo Racecourse with 30 factors credited to the winner and concludes with the Fukuryu Stakes March 22 at Nakayama Racecourse with the winner getting 40 factors. The primary three races are at 1,600 meters with the Fukuryu at 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles).
