Unbeaten in three career starts, all on dirt, Susumu Fujita's Forever Young grabbed the lead on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby on Wednesday with a dominant victory in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun. The 2-year-old son of Real Steel (Deep Impact) bested 11 rivals by seven lengths, completing the one-mile distance at Kawasaki Racecourse in 1:43.50 under jockey Ryusei Sakai.
“Around the far turn and at the top of the stretch we had pretty much confidence,” Sakai told bloodhorse.com. “I did not think we would be winning by that big a margin. He is a very nice colt, and there appears to be many more things we would be looking forward to.”
Forever Young is out of the U.S.-bred Forever Darling (Congrats), winner of the G2 Santa Ynez Stakes.
Forever Young's trainer Yoshito Yahagi has become a commonly-seen face on the international racing circuit, known especially for his iconic hat collection; he sent out the winners of two Breeders' Cup races in 2021, Loves Only You and Marche Lorraine, as well as the winner of the 2023 Saudi Cup (G1), Panthalassa.
Yahagi also trained Continuar, who qualified for the 2023 Kentucky Derby but was withdrawn shortly before the race when the trainer decided he was not fit enough for the race.
“Of course, the Kentucky Derby is my dream, but we will make a decision after talking with the owner,” Yahagi said after the race. “Yes, I will continue to train this horse so that we would not disappoint the expectation of many people, which includes running him in the international circuits.”
The post Japan Road To The Kentucky Derby: Forever Young Grabs Lead After Dominant Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun Victory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
