By Alan Carasso
Nakayama Racecourse plays host to the $315,808 Fukuryu S. Saturday afternoon, an allowance race that serves as the last of the four legs on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby and carries a total of 68 points for the first four finishers. The winner of the 1800-meter test earns 40 points, and with none of the horses who saluted in the first three legs taking part, a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May is all but assured.
Your History (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), a debut second going this distance at Hanshin Dec. 5, backed up on two weeks' rest to take out his maiden over that course and trip before finishing off the board in a lone try on the grass. The bay colt, bred on the same cross as G1 Dubai World Cup starter Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) was back to winning ways with a seven-length tally on the Hanshin dirt Mar. 7 and has longshot claims.
Gold Higher (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) has also been campaigned exclusively over this distance and was runner-up in his first two appearances before breaking through when heavily favored Jan. 5. He followed up with a five-length success at the 1-win allowance level at Hanshin Feb. 20 and is the overnight favorite on the Japanese tote.
Four fillies take on their male counterparts here, including the unbeaten Giuditta (Jpn) (Danon Legend {Jpn}), who defeated recent maiden romper Portafiglio (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}–Unlimited Budget) on Hanshin debut Nov. 7 and added a Jan. 24 Chukyo allowance in strong time Jan. 24.
Taisei Again (Jpn) (Pyro), a two-time winner from four starts, picked up two Kentucky Derby points when fourth to Alain Barows (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun in December and the $414,900 JRHA Select Yearling purchase makes his first start since.
None of the 10 male entrants in the Fukuryu S., won in 2019 by Triple Crown participant Master Fencer (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}), was nominated to the Triple Crown at its first closing in January. Connections may add their horses for a fee of $6,000 at the late Triple Crown closing Monday, Mar. 29.
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