Favourite Triumphs In Japanese Derby

Sunday Gr1 action from Tokyo Racecourse

Croix du Nord, Japan’s champion 2-year-old male of 2024, avenged his only career loss in the Gr1 Japanese 2000 Guineas in April with a win in the nation’s leading race for 3-year-olds – Sunday’s Gr1 Japanese Derby at Tokyo Racecourse.

Ridden by Yuichi Kitamura, Croix du Nord stalked early pacesetter Satono Shining and then Ho O Atman, who pulled well clear on the backstretch.

Yuichi Kitamura and Croix du Nord draw away to beat Masquerade Ball (Pic – JRA)

The Daily Racing Form reports that in the early stretch, Ho O Atman faded from contention, leaving Satono Shining and Croix du Nord in a brief duel.

Croix du Nord, who was favoured in American pools and paid $5.50, took the lead with less than a quarter-mile remaining and won by three-quarters of a length over 6-1 Masquerade Ball, who closed well.

Shohei (8-1) finished third in the field of 18, catching Satono Shining in the final strides. With a purse of $4.32 million, the Japanese Derby is the country’s richest race for 3-year-olds.

Croix du Nord has won 4 of 5 starts, including the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at 2000m last December, a victory that clinched his championship.

“I felt it was my responsibility to make Croix du Nord a derby winner ever since the colt won the Hopeful Stakes, so my feeling now is that I am relieved to have accomplished (the) mission,” Kitamura told Japan Racing Association publicity.

“The colt felt great today and I was able to come into the race with confidence, so victory itself came as no surprise to me. The break was smooth and after that, I was concentrating on keeping him in a comfortable rhythm more so than what position he was sitting in. In the stretch run, he responded really well.”

By Kitasan Black, Croix du Nord races for Sunday Racing Co., Ltd., and trainer Takashi Saito.

Have Your Say - *Please Use Your Name & Surname

Comments Policy
The Sporting Post encourages readers to comment in the spirit of enlightening the topic being discussed, to add opinions or correct errors. All posts are accepted on the condition that the Sporting Post can at any time alter, correct or remove comments, either partially or entirely.

All posters are required to post under their actual name and surname – no anonymous posts or use of pseudonyms will be accepted. You can adjust your display name on your account page or to send corrections privately to the EditorThe Sporting Post will not publish comments submitted anonymously or under pseudonyms.

Please note that the views that are published are not necessarily those of the Sporting Post.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Share:

Facebook
WhatsApp
Twitter

Popular Posts

Good For You, Chad!

The extraordinary story of Chad Little’s comeback to race riding at the age of 40 in November last year after teetering on the brink of the abyss of a nearly wasted life, received a Netflix-type boost at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday

Read More »

Drakenstein’s Female Dynasties Flourish

Oh Susanna and her stakes winning paddock pals are not only continuing to add to the burgeoning Drakenstein trophy cabinet through their progeny, they are also establishing powerful female dynasties which should serve the stud well in years to come

Read More »

Subscribe to have the Sporting Post Sprint delivered to your mailbox every week!

* indicates required