By Alan Carasso
Japan's top two older dirt horses, Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), were on trial for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic last Wednesday, finishing second and fifth, respectively, in the Listed Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Race Track.
The country's most-accomplished 3-year-old is Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), who preps for a likely appearance at Del Mar in just over four weeks' time in Wednesday's final leg of the Japanese dirt Triple Crown, the $828,597 Listed Japan Dirt Classic at Ohi Racecourse.
A two-time listed winner as a juvenile, the son of GII Santa Ynez Stakes heroine Forever Darling (Congrats) resumed from a two-month freshening in the G3 Saudi Derby over a one-turn mile, and he looked destined for defeat before grabbing future GI Woody Stephens Stakes hero Book'em Danno (Bucchero) on the wire, with recent GII Gallant Bob Stakes winner Bentornato (Valiant Minister) well back in third. The bay overcame a torrid trip to take out the G2 UAE Derby Mar. 30 and when last seen, came to win the GI Kentucky Derby, but was bothered through most of the deciding stages by Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and was forced to settle for third in that blanket finish.
The Japan Dirt Classic will mark Forever Young's first try going right-handed since winning the Listed JBC Nisai Stakes last fall and he'll break from the rail beneath Ryusei Sakai.
While Forever Young has been on holiday since the rigors of his spring preparation, Ramjet (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior) has quietly been building a reputation of his own and could challenge Forever Young for favoritism on Wednesday. An allowance winner over 1400 meters to close out his freshman season, the North Hills homebred followed suit in a mile race at Tokyo ahead of a 2 1/2-length success over Satono Epic (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) and Mikki Flight (Jpn) (Drefong) in the G3 Unicorn Stakes (1900m) in late April. Ramjet was last seen defeating Satono Epic in the Tokyo Derby (allowance) over Wednesday's course and distance June 5. Ramjet is the mount of Kosei Miura.
The Japan Dirt Classic jumps at 7:05 a.m. ET Wednesday morning. Click here for the full field.
おはようございまスパーダ💨
明日のJDC、注目はフォーエバーヤングとラムジェットの激突💥
週末の毎日王冠や京都大賞典よりも大注目のカード！！
馬券的にはつまらん！仕方ない！
でも追い切りは見てみよう！！前走サンライズジパングに差されて敗北。… pic.twitter.com/KS1iXb68O2
— 鶏肉🐔🐎⛳️ (@y_toriniku) September 30, 2024
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