Japan Horse Racing Tips-Umanity.jp|YASUDA KINEN(G1) is held this weekend

Heavy favorite Contrail claimed this year’s Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and unbeaten in five starts since his debut as a two-year-old. The 2019 Best Two-Year-Old Colt and Hopeful Stakes (2,000m) winner last season who also won the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, 2,000m) became the seventh horse in JRA history to win the first two Triple Crown titles unbeaten, and the first in 15 years after his sire, Deep Impact. His trainer, Yoshito Yahagi, who won his second Derby title after Deep Brillante in 2012 and 12th JRA-G1 victory overall, announced his next target to be for the Contrail to run in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, G1, 3,000m), held in October, in the hope of making the Deep Impact colt the eighth Triple Crown winner in JRA history. For jockey Yuichi Fukunaga, now with 27 career JRA-G1 titles, it was also the second Derby victory after with Wagnerian in 2018.

Contrail broke sharply and was in hand along the rails around third or fourth in the early stages behind Win Carnelian, who rushed from the outside to take the lead and then allowed to set a slow pace for the first half of the race. The pace increased after the 1,200-meter pole, where My Rhapsody came from way back along the backstretch to take over the lead, and Yuichi Fukunaga let the colt run with the flow and then asked him to explode into gear after securing a clear path along the center lane to which Contrail demonstrated his power to pull away easily to a three-length victory.

“I was just focusing on finishing this race on a high note and although he still has room for improvement—he tends to lose his focus when he’s leading—he still is able to win like he did today, so he’s got great potential and there’s a lot to look forward to in this colt. The pace was not really flowing in the first half but I sort of expected Nori-san (Norihiro Yokoyama on My Rhapsody) to make a move like that and it opened up the path for me to reach the horse in front (second position) which was critical,” commented Yuichi Fukunaga.

Salios was reserved in mid-pack early but had to angle out as the field was bunched behind a slow pace and had to cover much ground, having to make a wide trip along the last two corners and still way out entering the stretch. The Heart’s Cry colt who had given Contrail a tough race last outing was unable to threaten the winner this time but still turned in a terrific stretch run to best the rest of the field.

Weltreisende broke from stall six, just outside the eventual winner and kept close to that rival throughout the whole trip until the winner drew away in the last 100 meters with Salios who came storming up on his outside.

Other Horses:
4th: (1) Satono Impresa—raced around 11th, met traffic at early stretch, quickened between horses in last 300m
5th: (13) Deep Bond—tracked leaders around 3rd, ran willingly, weakened in last 100m
6th: (11) Galore Creek—traveled 3-wide around 6th, passed tired rivals at stretch
7th: (7) Black Hole—hugged rails around 14th, angled out at early stretch, showed belated charge
8th: (3) Wakea—raced around 8th, responded well behind winner at early stretch, even paced in last 200m
9th: (14) My Rhapsody—positioned in 17th early, made headway to lead in backstretch, used up 100m out
10th: (8) Bitterender—traveled around 11th, lacked needed kick at stretch
11th: (15) Satono Flag—sat around 15th, struggled to find clear path at early stretch, accelerated in last 200m
12th: (10) Cortesia—chased pace in 2nd, showed tenacity until 150m out, weakened thereafter
13th: (9) Darlington Hall—settled 3-wide around 13th, showed effort until 100m out
14th: (17) Valcos—ran 4-wide around 6th, turned for home in good striking position, gradually dropped back
15th: (4) L'Excellence—saved ground around 15th, switched to outside at early stretch, never threatened
16th: (16) Man of Spirit—was off slow, trailed in rear, showed little at stretch
17th: (18) Win Carnelian—set pace until 1,200m to go, ran gamely until 300m out, fell back
18th: (2) Al Jannah—took economic trip around 8th, faded after 300m out

The Japan Racing Association has, from Saturday, Feb. 29, conducted “JRA racing behind closed doors,” in which, as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the public has been prohibited from entering venues where races are being held.

The same conditions will prevail from Saturday, June 6 through Sunday, June 28. There will be NO spectators permitted at the races.

In addition, there will continue to be NO sales of betting tickets or payout for winning tickets on racedays, as well as no payout on weekdays at all JRA and off-track betting facilities until further notice.

During this time, the sale of betting tickets and payout for winning tickets will be conducted only via telephone or online betting.

The Japan Racing Association will announce further notice concerning operations from Saturday, July 4 in the near future.

Also, please be aware that the above conditions may change due to the socio-economic situation.



Notice of Revisions to Racing Restrictions on Horses

Please be informed that the changes and restrictions (see below) in effect from mid-April through Sunday, May 31– racing restrictions on horses, restrictions on jockey travel, and changes in jockey quarter procedures -- will no longer be in effect as of Monday, June 1.

However, in ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, JRA races during the month of June (from June 6 through June 28) will continue to be held without spectators. The public is not permitted to enter the racecourses. We ask our customers and all others associated with racing for your understanding and cooperation.

(For reference: changes in effect through May 31)

1. Racing Restrictions on Horses (participation in races restricted according to home base)
The participation of horses in races held away from the area of the horse’s home base is not permitted, except in the case of open-class flat races and jump races.

2. Restrictions on Jockey Travel (Restrictions During Race Meetings on the Same Weekend)
Jockeys may not move between racecourses in order to ride at different racecourses on Saturday and Sunday. However, in the case of jockeys riding in jump races and only in this case, movement between racecourses during race meetings on the same weekend is permitted.

3. ‘Authorized Jockey Quarter’ Procedure
Jockeys are permitted to move from “JRA-authorized jockey quarters,” such as the jockey’s private residence or hotels, to the racecourse on the same day on which the jockey is riding in a race.

Following on from the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) last Sunday, it’ll be the 87th running of the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) this coming week (May 31), and the venue will be Tokyo Racecourse once again. The second colts’ Classic of the year is run over 2,400 meters on the turf track, and there have been 23 nominations, including Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) winner Contrail, as well as the next four horses to finish behind him in that race, in their bids to change the placings in the Derby.
The Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) was first run in 1932, and since its inception that year, there have only been seven Derby winners to go on and win the Triple Crown (the last one was Orfevre in 2011), proving that winning all three legs of the series of races is a very tough thing to do. A slightly better number of 23 indicates how many horses have been able to capture the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) and the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) in the same year, but have failed in their quest to win the final race, the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger). The last horse to win the first two legs was Duramente in 2015, who was also the last favorite to win the Derby.
There will be a maximum of 18 colts in this year’s race, and many are coming off runs in the Grade 2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (Deep Impact Kinen) over 2,000 meters at Nakayama in March, and the Grade 2 TV Tokyo Hai Aoba Sho (an official Derby trial) over 2,400 meters at Tokyo in May, as well as the Grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), run over 2,000 meters at Nakayama in April.
All colts are set to carry 57kg, and total prize money this year is JPY 432 million (about US$ 3.9 million), with JPY 200 million going to the winner. Only three first favorites have won in the last ten years, and last year big outsider Roger Barows not only blew the more fancied runners away, but also set a new record time for the race, winning it in 2 minutes 22.6 seconds.
Final declarations and the barrier draw will be available towards the end of the week.
Here’s a look at some of the colts taking on this year’s Derby:

Contrail - Last year’s Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes winner remains unbeaten, and after his Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) win, it’s looking like he’ll start the favorite for this year’s Derby. He’s had just the one run at Tokyo, which was over 1,800 meters as a 2-year-old, but given that he seems to be going from strength to strength, the horse seems to be able to handle any challenge that comes his way. Assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said, “He had a break at the farm after his last race and came back to the stable on May 6. In his recent work uphill, all went well, and he showed good speed. He’s a horse with a lot of ability. From now going into the race, we’ll up his workload.”

Salios - The striking chestnut colt is by Heart’s Cry, and is also a Grade 1 winner after his victory in last year’s Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes. His only defeat came at the hands of Contrail last time, and as trainer Noriyuki Hori says, he was just a little unlucky to come out of the race second best. “It was a difficult race last time, and he didn’t change leads in the homestraight, as well as not getting the best ground, making things tough for him. It left him a bit tired after the race, but we’ve kept him at the stable since and his condition should be good enough to put him in contention for the Derby,” said the trainer. Jockey Damian Lane has already ridden Salios twice, and is set to ride him this time too.

Satono Flag - The Northern Farm bred Satono Flag achieved a hat-trick of wins from the end of last year through to his victory in the Grade 2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (Deep Impact Kinen) at Nakayama in March. He then finished a respectable fifth in the Grade 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) in April. Trainer Sakae Kunieda is satisfied with his horse’s progress. “His three straight wins indicated what condition he’s in, and last time he’d moved up well by the fourth corner to make a challenge, but just lacked a little at the end. Since then he’s been at the stable and seems to be fine, with no tiredness after his last run”, said Kunieda. Satono Flag looks likely to be Yutaka Take’s Derby ride.

Weltreisende - One of two nominated runners for trainer Yasutoshi Ikee, the Dream Journey colt has only been unplaced once in five starts, and that was when he finished eighth to Contrail last time. It’ll be his first time to race at Tokyo, but he’s run pretty well at different tracks so far. Trainer Ikee commented: “The race wasn’t run to suit him last time with the ground as it was. However, looking to the Derby with him, he’s been working well and running smoothly in training, and he should come on for that last race.”

Galore Creek - Trained by Hiroyuki Uehara, Galore Creek was the horse that got closest to Contrail and Salios in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) last time, and although it looks as if it’ll be tough to repel those two again, his good win two starts ago, together with his debut win at Tokyo over 2,000 meters, gives the stable enough confidence for the Derby. “It was a slow pace last time and different from when he won two starts ago, but even so he showed a lot of staying power to put in a good performance. He knows how to race, so we don’t have to work him so hard in training,” said the trainer, who’s looking for his first Derby victory and his seventh Grade 1 success.

Bitterender - The Orfevre colt is already taking after his sire when it comes to a bit of unpredictability, having been unable to see things out in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) when he finished fourteenth, but he came back with a bang last time when winning the Listed Principal Stakes over 2,000 meters at Tokyo early this month. That got him his ticket to the Derby, and trainer Ikuo Aizawa is pleased with him. “Coming out like he did last time to win was a big result, especially when considering he lost a shoe between the third and fourth corners. We’ll be monitoring his progress in training from now,” stated the trainer.

Darlington Hall - The Godolphin runner rallied late last time to finish sixth behind Contrail, and that’s been the only time he’s finished outside the top three in his five starts, which have included two wins. With a bit more fluidity to his run, it would put him in contention here. Assistant trainer Yu Ota commented on the horse: “Last time his balance was not so good, and he didn’t get off to such a good start. He was fine after the race, and in recent training he’s felt more balanced, so I want him to be at his best next time.” Darlington Hall is jockey Mirco Demuro’s Derby ride.

Valcos - The colt by Novelist is yet another horse that can’t be overlooked, coming off a second place finish most recently in the Grade 2 TV Tokyo Hai Aoba Sho, run over the course and distance of the Derby early this month. He’s trained by Yasuo Tomomichi, and the trainer liked the way he ran last time. “He put in a big run in the Aoba Sho, and responded well to the pace. He’s a powerful horse with stamina, and he’s come out of that last race well,” said Tomomichi. Jockey Kosei Miura is expected to ride Valcos, and with no Grade 1 victory to his name, he would love to win this one.

Deep Bond - Something of a bargain buy at the 2018 Hokkaido Select Sale, the Kizuna colt put his run in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) behind him, and came back to win the Grade 2 Kyoto Shimbun Hai this month over 2,200 meters. Assistant trainer Tatsuo Taniguchi said, “There was a short time between the Satsuki Sho and the Kyoto Shimbun Hai, and we were worried about how he might be, but he managed to win. He’s a big horse with a long stride, and it looks like the Derby distance will suit him.”
And finally, mention should be made of Wakea after his two easy wins over 1,800 meters at Tokyo as a 2-year-old, followed up by his third place finish in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes last year, and his second place finish in his one run this year, the Grade 2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (Deep Impact Kinen) over 2,000 meters at Nakayama in March. Jockey Christophe Lemaire keeps up his association with Heart’s Cry once again here, with the latter being Wakea’s sire.

Heavily favored Daring Tact retained her immaculate record in winning this year’s Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) becoming the fifth filly in JRA history to claim the title undefeated, following last year’s victor Loves Only You. The Epiphaneia filly is now the 15th filly to capture both the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) and the Yushun Himba which include five eventual fillies’ Triple Crown winners, and is also the second unbeaten winner since Miss Onward in 1957 to claim two classic titles for three-year-olds fillies. She has showcased incredible speed, running the fastest in the last three furlongs in all of her races over various distances and goings. Both trainer Haruki Sugiyama and jockey Kohei Matsuyama celebrate their third JRA-G1 victory—their latest was with the filly in the recent Oka Sho.

Daring Tact settled on the rails sixth from the rear after a good break while Smile Kana shot to the front setting the early pace six to seven lengths ahead of the rest as the field cruised down the backstretch. While the runners began to make their bids rounding the final corner, Matsuyama shifted his filly away from the rails a bit to avoid traffic however, still struggled to find a clear path in early stretch. Finally shooting through a narrow gap between rivals 300 meters out, the brown filly exploded with the fastest closing speed and caught Win Marilyn in the last 50 meters to prevail by half-a-length.

“After a good break, we were bumped a few times, so I decided to keep her relaxed in a lower position than planned. She instantly kicked into gear once out of traffic in the straight and showed another amazing run down the middle of the lane. Her tremendous burst of speed was extraordinary. It was the first time I rode a favorite (in G1 races) and I admit I felt the pressure, so I’m relieved,” commented Kohei Matsuyama after the race.

Flora Stakes winner Win Marilyn broke smoothly from a wide stall and sat unhurried far behind Smile Kana in second but caught up and was on the heels of the pacesetter at the top of the lane. While the others fanned out for room, the seventh favorite squeezed through an opening on the rails, unleashed a strong run, and pinned Win Mighty 100 meters out but succumbed to the speed of the winner to settle for second.

Sent off 13th favorite in a field of 18, Wasurenagusa Sho victor Win Mighty saved ground in fifth to sixth, entered the lane in good striking position and won a brief battle over Cravache d’Or at the furlong pole but surrendered the lead to Win Marylin and the eventual winner to finish a neck from the runner-up for a well-earned third.
Other Horses:
4th: (6) Ria Amelia—broke poorly, settled in front of winner, showed good turn of foot in last 200m
5th: (12) Magic Castle—sat in 16-17th, met traffic 300m out, responded well in last 200m
6th: (15) Chain of Love—was off a bit slow, trailed in rear, circled wide, showed 2nd fastest late drive
7th: (10) Miyamazakura—saved ground around 9th, ran willingly but failed to threaten
8th: (5) Ho O Peaceful—raced around 5th, ran gamely until 200m marker, weakened thereafter
9th: (11) Lily Pure Heart—stumbled at start, gradually advanced from rear, showed brief effort
10th: (17) Maltese Diosa—traveled 3-wide around 9th, showed effort until 100m out, even paced thereafter
11th: (1) Des Ailes—sat around 14th behind winner, angled out for clear path, accelerated briefly
12th: (13) Woman's Heart—settled around 8th, lacked needed kick at stretch
13th: (18) Sanctuaire—raced 3-wide around 14th, unable to reach contention
14th: (14) Fiori Chiari—ran 3-wide around 5th, gradually dropped back while checked before 200m pole
15th: (2) Cravache d'Or—hugged rails around 3rd, took brief lead 300m out, outrun in last 200m
16th: (8) Smile Kana—set fast pace, led until 300m out, fell back in last 200m
17th: (3) Ablaze—tracked leaders around 3rd, ran out of steam 300m out
18th: (9) Intermission—traveled three-wide around 11th outside winner, faded after 3rd corner