Japanese 2-Year-Olds Clash in Hopeful Stakes

Undefeated records abound in the expected big field for the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse Dec. 26—the last chance for 2-year-olds with classic ambitions to show their stuff.

At least five of the top prospects, pending finalization of the field, remain unbeaten as they face their biggest challenge yet.

The race achieved grade 1 status only in 2017 but has quickly found its place. Last year's winner, Contrail, was undefeated through seven starts before he finished a gallant second to Almond Eye in the Japan Cup (G1) Nov. 29.

The favorite has won the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4-mile) test in each of the last four years but extending that mark will require some precision handicapping by the enthusiastic Japanese punters.

Danon the Kid, a Just a Way colt, comes to the Hopeful undefeated in two starts, most recently the winner of the Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes (G3). He was produced by Epic Love, runner-up in the Montjeu Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (G1) at ParisLongchamp in 2011.

Trainer Takayuki Yasuda, who won the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (G1) Dec. 13 with Danon Smash, said Danon the Kid's recent work at Ritto Training Center indicated he might have another big race teed up.

"The jockey said the horse was relaxed and I thought he was moving well during that piece of training," Yasuda said.

Orthoclase has won both his starts, including the Ivy Stakes in October at Tokyo Racecourse, and leading rider Christophe Lemaire is booked. The colt also has grade 1 wins on both sides of his pedigree. Sire Epiphaneia took two at the top level including the 2014 Japan Cup and dam Marialite won the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) in 2015 and the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) the following year.

Yoho Lake and Land of Liberty, both by Deep Impact, also are 2-for-2. Yoho Lake's last effort was at 2,000 meters in the Shigiku Sho at Kyoto Oct. 17 while Land of Liberty won the 2,000-meter Fuyo Stakes at Nakayama Oct. 3. Yutaka Take is booked to ride Yoho Lake.

But wait. There's more.

Admire Sage remains undefeated after two starts, most recently taking the Kigiku Sho at Hanshin, also at 2,000 meters. Titleholder has won one and lost one but the loss was a second to Danon the Kid in the last start. Both Admire Sage and Titleholder are by Duramente.

Chevalier Rose, another by Deep Impact, is 2-for-3 and comes off a win in the Hagi Stakes at Kyoto.

Chevalier Rose is trained by Hisashi Shimizu, who saddled Kitasan Black to seven grade 1 wins. Jockey Yuichi Kitamura was up for a six-furlong work Dec. 16 at Ritto.

"He moved well in that piece of work and his times were good. The jockey also reported him to be in good condition," said the trainer.

The 2,000 meters at Nakayama starts with a run past the grandstand and continues another full circuit of the inner turf with a rise through the final few hundred meters before the finish line.