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| Staff Writer |
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The majority of the preparatory races for the upcoming Gr.1 Japanese Derby at Tokyo Racecourse have concluded, and the participants have been identified. It appears that the competition will be a three-way battle between Justin Milano, Regaleira, and Sugar Kun.
Justin Milano, sired by Kizuna, remains undefeated after winning the Gr.1 Satsuki Sho, the first stage of the Japanese Triple Crown for 3YOs, at Nakayama Racecourse on 14th April. The colt, bred by Northern Farm, is the fifth offspring of Margot Did, who won the Gr.1 Nunthorpe Stakes in 2011. Magic Attitude, by Galileo, is the second offspring of the mare and the champion of the 2020 Gr.1 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes. If Justin Milano wins the Japanese Derby, he will become the eighth unbeaten champion in the history of the Japanese Derby.
Regaleira, on the other hand, won the Gr.1 Hopeful Stakes on December 28, becoming the first filly to win the 2,000-meter (approximately 1 1/4-mile) race at Nakayama Racecourse. Despite her efforts to become the third filly to win the 14th April Satsuki Sho, she finished sixth. Her connections believe that her ideal distance is 1 1/2 miles, and Regaleira will attempt to become the fourth filly to win the Japanese Derby.
Sugar Kun, sired by Duramente and the winner of Gr.2 Aoba Sho at the same course and distance as the Japanese Derby, is a half-brother of Kitasan Black, the Japanese Horse of the Year in 2016 and 2017. Sugar Kun will attempt to become the first horse to accomplish the Aoba Sho/Japanese Derby double.